For Denise Baker, technology didn’t just open the digital world—it restored her independence. 

Denise, who has been blind since birth and lives in a Vinfen residence, recently shared her experience with Vinfen’s TechConnect program in Helen: The Journal of Human Exceptionality. Through TechConnect, specially trained digital navigators help people obtain accessible devices while providing personalized coaching and ongoing support tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. 

“What makes TechConnect special isn’t just the devices. It’s the way the program treats people,” Denise wrote. “Stanley (my tech navigator) didn’t just hand me technology and walk away. He took the time to understand what motivated me, what I cared about, and what would actually make a difference in my life. That personal approach made all the difference. It helped me feel capable, not overwhelmed.” 

Denise’s experience reflects the impact TechConnect is having across Massachusetts. Over the past two years, Vinfen has helped 582 people with disabilities gain access to technology, training, and personalized digital support while distributing 332 devices, each paired with hands-on instruction that builds confidence and independence. Vinfen is one of several providers participating in the Human Services Alliance for Digital Equity, a statewide initiative that has served more than 3,200 individuals and distributed more than 2,100 devices. 

For many participants, access to technology opens doors to employment, healthcare, education, social connection, and greater self-sufficiency. Sustaining that impact increasingly depends on philanthropic and corporate partners. 

Support from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) has helped expand digital literacy efforts throughout the region. “Digital equity sits at the intersection of so much opportunity in Essex County, which is why it has long been such a priority for ECCF,” said Kate Machet, ECCF’s vice president of systems initiatives and government relations. “We invest in Vinfen’s TechConnect program because it’s an incredible example of how programming like this should work. By supporting people through a holistic approach, Vinfen helps to create true inclusion and empowers residents to fully participate in democracy, in lifelong learning, and in today’s economy.” 

Vinfen’s digital navigators also bring technology directly into the community through device distribution events, providing one-on-one support to help participants use their devices to apply for jobs, access healthcare, continue their education, and stay connected with family and community. In partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Division of Digital Psychiatry, TechConnect has also delivered workshops on resume development, online job searching, and digital skills for members of Vinfen’s mental health clubhouses in Lawrence and Haverhill. 

As Vinfen President & CEO Jean Yang notes, access to technology has become essential to everyday life. 

“Technology is no longer optional,” Yang said. “It is how people communicate, navigate their communities, access information, manage daily tasks, and stay connected. Yet many people with disabilities have been left out; not because they lack ability, but because they have lacked access, training, and individualized support. That is exactly what TechConnect provides.” 

For Denise, the impact is simple. 

“I can’t imagine going back to the way things were before,” she wrote. “And I hope others won’t have to. Because everyone deserves the tools to live as independently as possible. TechConnect didn’t just give me an iPad or a phone. It gave me more of my life back.”