Deepwood Foundation Program Administrator Tana Habat, left, and Executive Director Rikke Coach hold boxes of iPads recently donated by the Willoughby Rotary Autism Project program for distribution to special needs individuals in Lake County.

The Deepwood Foundation has received a donation of 24 new iPads from the Willoughby Rotary Club in support of individuals with developmental disabilities in Lake County.

The devices were provided through the organization’s Willoughby Rotary Autism Project program known as WRAP and, according to officials, are allocated to offer critical communication where needed most.

“The Willoughby Rotary has a longstanding commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals in our community, and this donation marks another significant step in fulfilling their mission,” said Deepwood Foundation Executive Director Rikke Coach.

“These devices represent more than just technology — they are tools for empowerment,” she added, “and we are thrilled to partner to ensure that individuals have access to the resources they need to express themselves and engage with the world around them.”

By collaborating with local organizations, the foundation continues to positively impact the lives of individuals and families throughout Lake County, said Program Administrator Tana Habat.

“We are immensely grateful to the Willoughby Rotary for their donation,” she added. “These devices will open up new avenues of communication and support for nonverbal individuals, helping them to connect with others.”

Habat noted that the foundation has received a record number of grant requests for iPads for such use this year, with the year not even half over.

The measure stems from a rotary fund focusing solely on the donations of iPads, the foundation noted.

Moreover, to date, the organization has received over 100 iPads from WRAP.

“They play a huge part in this part of our work, as iPads are the standard for speech and communication development in nonverbal and speech-challenged individuals,” said Deepwood Foundation Marketing Representative LeeAnn Mullen.

“When we award the iPads, we (Deepwood) buy the speech software for them,” she added. “The primary apps we use are Proloquo2Go and TouchChat, expensive apps that are cost-prohibitive to many of our families. Deepwood Foundation also buys protective cases for each iPad before giving them to the grant recipients.”

Based on the growth of WRAP, Coach and Habat agree that outreach partnerships continue to create meaningful change.

“By working together, organizations like the Willoughby Rotary and Deepwood Foundation are breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity for individuals with developmental disabilities,” Coach said.

For more information about the Willoughby Rotary, visit WilloughbyRotary.org.

To learn more about the Deepwood Foundation and its services, visit DeepwoodFoundation.org or email LeeAnn Mullen at leeann.mullen@lakebdd.org.