Eric D. Zimmerman is Founder and Technical Director of The Buddy Project, and should know about technology’s ability to unlock some of the everyday barriers faced by the special-needs community: The 35 year-old has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of Autism which hinders social interaction.

 

From working with Best Buddies International, he grew to recognize that, unlike him, many of the disabled have little to no access to such commonplace household technologies as even their own email account.

 

Zimmerman, a graduate of Frederick High School, decided to take action. Officially, since 2007, his technological savviness (certified in computer repair and rehabilitation by the Career Technology Center’s IT program), united with his caring, altruistic drive to help others, has been brightening lives. That’s when, out of his Frederick home, he began The Buddy Project. And, ever since, his Computer organization has acted upon its mission of providing free computers (and/or other technologies) to qualifying IDD candidates. It’s also a mission that the Frederick County Commission on Disabilities has duly honored by bestowing Zimmerman with its Distinguished Service Award.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Service Coordination, Inc. the largest provider in Maryland of targeted case management for people with developmental disabilities.

 

Used computers, received through donation, are the starting point for The Buddy Project’s initiative. Every device gets completely refurbished back to new. But since not intended to be used by the whole family, each computer is custom-tailored to meet the specific individual needs of its intended recipient.

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Eric is a volunteer at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD where He is Technical Director of The Buddy Project's program based there, and also serves as an Operating Room Assistant.  He previously worked with Biomed at the facility.  

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Eric also is a Stock Car Driver, Currently racing 4 CYL Stock Cars at Trail-Way Speedway in Hanover, Pennsylvania and in the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Events.

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Eric is sponsored by Steven Clark Cunningham's "Poemenclature" Series