The AT&T Foundation – the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. – has announced that it has awarded more than $8,300 through the AT&T Excelerator competitive technology grant program to support Lyon College and its efforts to add special technology software and hardware for students with physical and learning disabilities.

Since 2002, the AT&T Excelerator program has provided more than 2,500 technology grants – totaling more than $47.8 million – to organizations across the country. In 2007, 12 regional and local nonprofit organizations in Arkansas have benefited from the competitive program, which has granted nearly $9 million to nonprofit organizations and communities nationwide.

"The AT&T Excelerator grant will allow Lyon College to further its commitment to providing a quality education in a personalized setting though the installation of reading-solution and speech-recognition software and related hardware," said John M. Peek, vice president for academic aervices and dean of the faculty at Lyon College. "These resources are especially critical in addressing the needs of students with physical handicaps or learning disabilities. Thus, Lyon College is grateful to AT&T for its support in promoting access and success at the post-secondary level."

Rhonda Cline, director of external affairs for AT&T Arkansas, commended State Rep. David Wyatt for his support of programs to help bring new services to northeastern Arkansas and his service on the Lyon College Regional Advisory Board.

"Lyon College is a tremendous asset in our community, and I am committed to working for consistently broader educational resources in our community," Wyatt said. "Through my experience in county and state offices, I've seen how important it is for all Arkansans to have access to education and new technology and to have the opportunity to develop their skills."

The AT&T Excelerator program provides technology access to organizations working to strengthen underserved communities. Helping nonprofits integrate technology into their operations and community outreach, AT&T Excelerator grants also place technology tools in the hands of the underserved populations that the nonprofits work with in order to provide resources such as education programs, Internet access, computer training and job-skills development.