The children's charity hatched Access to IT in 2001 in the wake of Government proposals to increase the number of people online. It feared ministers' ideas ignored many of society's worst-off and would lead to a growing digital divide.
Seven companies rallied to the cause by offering money and resources that will be spent on five projects at NCH homes.
Minister for schools Stephen Twigg and ITV newscaster Mary Nightingale, who is also an NCH president, will unveil the initial project at Warren Park, Surrey, where 66 children with severe physical and learning difficulties will get three new computers. Two are specially designed for the residents, aged eight to 20, with functions such as touch-screen monitors and large keyboards.
Kamaljit Matharu, seconded from BAE Systems to manage the project, said the long-term aim was to prove to the Government the value of the project.
"If we can do that we will be putting pressure on them to fund similar schemes," he said. "The key thing is to get them up and running and show results."
AOL UK, BAE Systems, BT, Cable & Wireless, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists support the initiative.
