Computer training for special education high school students, offered by Ball State University's Outreach Services Site (OSS) in Fishers, is featured on an international certification firm's Web site.

OSS was honored for its Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) program, which was offered this summer to nine students in Hamilton County. It was listed as an "IC³ Success Story" on Certiport's Web site. Certiport, which has more than 9,000 centers worldwide, provides training, assessment and certification in Microsoft Office Specialist, the Internet and IC³.

"It's an honor for an international firm to showcase our program as one of the first to offer the IC³ training to youth with disabilities," said Stephanie Huffman, OSS director. "It's my hope that we can develop more technology programs to be shared with other area residents with disabilities."

The 36-hour course was sponsored by OSS, Interlocal Association, Hamilton County WorkOne and Hamilton/Boone/Madison Special Services Co-op. The course focused on computer hardware, software, networks and the Internet. Not only did it develop specific skills, but it also helped build students' confidence and boost their résumés, said Becky Branham, Interlocal Association's program director.

"Those who earn this certification receive an educational foundation that will help them attain other certifications specific to desktop applications, making them more marketable to employers and more productive in the workplace," she said.

For more information, contact Huffman at (317) 913-4560 or shuffman@bsu.edu.