Flash Drive accepts donations of laptops, computers and tablets to be refurbished if possible and recycled if it can not be used again.

Students from schools and the National Disability Insurance Scheme attend programs to learn about computer software, how to dismantle and rebuild computers and the responsible management of e-waste while working with other volunteers.

Computers, laptops and tablets that are fixed or refurbished are sold at an affordable price to people with a health care card who might otherwise not be able to afford access to technology.

Flash Drive manager Faye Stevenson said the main aim of the organisation was to make technology accessible to all.

"We have lots of little laptops that came as a donation from from a school. I refurbish them and sell them with Windows 10 on them for $80 and they are great for kids to take to school," she said.

"Access to technology means a hell of a lot these days. If someone is on Centrelink they have to sign in with MyGov. The elderly are realising they really need to have technology to survive in this world to even do something as simple as buying and printing a concert ticket. To apply for jobs and interviews you need access to a computer.

"Everyone really needs to have technology in their home, which is what we hope to do."

Three volunteers worked to separate parts of a computer for recycling when The Courier visited Flash Drive headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.

Steel and aluminium is separated into different grades to be recycled at OneSteel Recycling Ballarat.

READ MORE: E-waste education prepares Urquhart Park Primary School students for upcoming ban

Meanwhile, volunteer James Davies worked on updating software on computers that will be sold cheaply with free programs to people with a health care card.

He has been involved in working with Flash Drive for 14 years, first starting as a 10-year-old student with Asperger's syndrome who was having trouble at school.

"Sometimes I come here because it is a challenge as far as what has got to be fixed. Other times I am sitting here doing software updates, and it is an escape from reality," he said.

"It is easy to come here and sit in front of a computer for a couple of hours to fix it. It is an easy way to relax."

Ms Stevenson said many students with a disability loved working with computers and thrived in the small group environment.

"With us they don't get the stigma like they get at school. It is a smaller group and they get time to socialise," she said.

"Computers teach these kids patience. It is teaching them to listen to what they are asked to do. I do let them play games that develop hand eye coordination and reading and spelling.

"By doing the recycling we are helping the community by preventing e-waste from going into landfill but we are also teaching the kids another skill."

READ MORE: Young student looking for solutions to recycle electronic waste

Flash Drive is currently working with four NDIS students, one student from a school and seven volunteers. Schools can refer students to be a part of the program or to complete work experience.

Garry Davies has been volunteering with the organisation since 2010 and has a history of working with disengaged youth.

He said the program showed students who may have fallen through the cracks there was another pathway.

"We have had one student go through university and get qualifications with computers he got that interested in Flash Drive. Success stories like that make this worthwhile," he said.

Flash Drive is hoping donations of computers, laptops, tablets, cords and wires will increase with the e-waste to landfill ban coming in on July 1.

Companies, schools and members of the community can donate their items to Flash Drive at 1223 Grevillea Road in Wendouree from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Thursday during the school holidays. Donations of printers are not accepted.