Cover Story
Worldwide celebration
How Dave Moffatt and PRC gave the gift of communication to 40 people
By Kristy J. O’Hara
Smart Business Akron/Canton | December 2007
As Prentke Romich Co. prepared to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2006, President Dave Moffatt and founder Barry Romich
pondered the best way to celebrate the milestone. While most
companies would throw an expensive and elaborate party to mark
the occasion, they decided that PRC could, and should, do more.
Since its founding, PRC’s mission has been to enable communication without limitations, fitting for a company that
develops augmentative and alternative communication speech
output devices, computer access products and other assistive
technology for people unable to speak as a result of autism,
cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, stroke
and other conditions. To fit with that mission, Moffatt decided
to give people in need something to celebrate as PRC celebrated, so he created the 40-for-40 program.
The program was designed as a year-long giveaway of 40
PRC devices to individuals around the world who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford or have access to the devices. He
worked with the company’s major vendors, who helped by
donating their products and services. He and his team invited
speech language pathologists to nominate their clients, and he
also had the application materials translated into Spanish so
more people were able to apply.
PRC received hundreds of applications from around the
world, and by the end of the year, more than $350,000 in
devices and accessories were given to 40 children, teens and
adults in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom,
South Africa and five other countries. One recipient was an 11-year-old boy who lost his speech abilities after a heart attack
and another was an autistic teen who had waited eight years
for a communication aide.
The program generated many heartfelt thanks and
increased awareness around the world about how these communication devices can help people otherwise unable to
express themselves. On top of the awareness and the people
directly affected by the donations, it helped PRC celebrate in
accordance with its mission. For his leadership efforts in the
project, Moffatt also received the company’s highest employee
honor, the PRC Mission Award, from Romich.
HOW TO REACH: Prentke Romich Co., (800) 262-1984 or www.prentrom.com
