"partner''.

Bermudians who have learning disabilities would benefit by having free access to computers at a learning centre located, for example, at a school or hospital.

Founders of the National Cristina Foundation are on the Island this week to speak to residents about the idea.

The NCF makes use of outdated computers that US corporations no longer want.

And through its learning centres in 40 US states and five other countries, people are taught an important job skill for the 1990s and beyond: computer literacy, said NCF chairman Dr. Bruce McMahan.

"It empowers people with employability,'' he said.

Computer training has proved a confidence booster for people with disabilities and helps them learn better, he said.

"It's something they can do on their own and manage themselves,'' he said.

Dr. McMahan's daughter, Cristina, who has cerebral palsy, is proof of the programme's success, growing from being shy and introverted to a confident and able young woman.

He said he had discussed the idea with local businesses to see if they were interested in donating outdated and unwanted computers to the cause, although NCF would supply Bermuda with the first batch of computers at no cost.

The law firm Cox and Wilkinson had already pledged to support the programme, he said.

He hoped to gain the support of other businesses, considering international business was a key industry in Bermuda.

In the next 25 years in America, nearly 200 million computers are expected to become obsolete as companies replace them with newer models, he said.

"The majority get thrown away,'' Dr. McMahan noted. "There are US landfills full of those things.'' NCF president Dr. Yvette Marrin, who accompanied Dr. McMahan on the trip, will be in Bermuda until Saturday to meet with organisations and businesses about the idea.

She pointed out high school drop-outs, at-risk students, and those with brain injuries, such as a stroke victims, could also benefit by the computer learning programme.

NCF obtains its computers through corporate donations of commercially obsolete, used and unwanted earlier generation models of personal computers and related technology, he said.

Before the NCF was established in 1984, there was no concept of national donations or usage of outdated computers.

Dr. McMahan said he had received interest in the idea so far from Job Opportunity Bermuda, Hope Homes and Summerhaven.

A number of other local charities which help learning disabled people attended a presentation by Dr. McMahan earlier this week at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

Dr. McMahan hopes the charities will organise a steering committee to set up a free used-computer learning centre here at a location such as the hospital or a school.

NCF would provide Bermuda with an initial batch of computers at no cost, Mr.

McMahan said.

The only condition is that the Bermuda organisation submit progress reports on the programme and share its methods of teaching with NCF, he said.

Mr. McMahan, who regularly visits Bermuda on business, said he was invited to speak to residents about the NCF by several interested Bermudians, including Mrs. Debbie Jones, while at a private dinner he attended.

"Machines you can write off, people you can't ,'' is NCF's motto, he said.

Donating used and excess computer equipment can help people with differing abilities lead more productive lives, the NCF believes.

He likened computers to black and white televisions. They are out of style but still work, pointed out Dr. McMahan.

NCF was co-founded in 1984 by businessman Dr. McMahan and educator Dr. Marrin after Dr. McMahan donated a computer to his daughter Cristina's special education class.

Cristina has motor and learning difficulties.

RECYCLABLE -- Dr. Yvette Marrin and Dr. Bruce McMahan stand next to what they believe is an important training tool in the 1990s: The computer. They hope to make Bermuda a "partner'' in the National Cristina Foundation, a used computer learning organisation for people with disabilities and economic disadvantages.