ACCESS
NATIONAL INITIATIVES/INFORMATION RESOURCES
The Digital Divide Network
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org
The Benton Foundation and the National Urban League, with private
foundations and companies from across the Internet, computing,
telecommunications and software industries have launched The
Digital Divide Network, the first-ever initiative to coordinate
information, strategies and efforts targeting solutions to the
Digital Divide. The new site is a comprehensive clearinghouse on
completed and ongoing efforts to expand access by underserved
communities to the Internet and information technology.
DigitalDivide.gov
http://www.DigitalDivide.gov
This website serves as a gateway for Federal government-related
digital divide initiatives. The site was announced at the December
9, Dept. of Commerce Digital Divide Summit. Among other resources,
RealVideo transcripts of the Summit's morning Executive Roundtable
session are available here.
OneNetNow.com
www.OneNetNow.com
OneNetNow.com is the first online community Web site specifically
designed to provide relevant content, community and e-commerce for
the multi-ethnic user. OneNetNow.com will utilize its unique
resources to proactively cultivate the African-American and Latino
communities who are being left behind in the technological
revolution, known as the Digital Divide. OneNetNow.com will be a
dynamic, culturally diverse online community that allows its
members to connect through common interests, original content and
create interactive dialogue.
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NATIONAL COMMUNITY
TRAINING RESOURCES
National Urban League
http://www.nul.org
A pioneering civil rights organization, operating technology-based
initiatives in low income communities since 1968 and promoting
advocacy and program services on the social and educational
development of youth, economic independence and racial equality.
The Urban League has 115 affiliates in 34 states.
Community Technology Centers Network
(CTCNet)
http://www.ctcnet.org
Organization of more than 250 computer access centers in the
United States. The centers partner with schools, museums,
community centers and churches to provide training and promote
equitable access to technology.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
http://www.bgca.org/
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has a lineup of tested and
proven nationally recognized programs that address today's most
pressing youth issues, teaching young people the skills they need
to succeed in life. More than 25 national programs are available
in the ares of education, the environment, health, the arts,
careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention,
leadership development and athletics.
Urban Technology Center
http://www.urbantech.org
A non-profit corporation dedicated to preparing inner-city
communities across the country for full participation in the
information age by creating a technology and telecommunications
infrastructure.
Alliance for Community Media
http://www.alliancecm.org
National organization focusing on equal access to electronic
media. Provides technical assistance, promotes successful
applications of technology and advocates for support to its
members which include 950 public, educational and government
access centers.
AmeriCorps*VISTA
http://www.americorps.org/vista_tech
AmeriCorps*VISTA is recruiting individuals to serve one year with
technology projects all over the country. Over 400 members will be
placed between now and the fall of 2000. National sponsors include
the United Way of America (Teaming for TECHnology), PowerUP,
NetDay, TECH CORPS; there are also a variety of locally-based
projects such as the Ohio Community Computing Networks and
CyberLynx in Oregon.
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LOCAL COMMUNITY TRAINING
RESOURCES
The Association for Community Networking
http://www.afcn.org/
The Association For Community Networking provides resources,
shared learning, and experienced guidance to help communities and
organizations use information and communications technologies
effectively.
NPOTechs
http://npotechs.net
NPOTechs consists of technology enthusiasts, staff members of
non-profit-organizations, and other people interested in
empowering our communities by helping to bring open-source and
free technologies to non-profits.
Plugged In, Inc.
http://www.pluggedin.org
A non-profit company in one of Silicon Valley's poorest
communities, Plugged In runs an after-school program for
elementary school children and offers classes for teenagers in
numerous technology areas.
Technology Access Foundation
http://www.techaccess.org
A non-profit agency in Seattle, WA with a mission to provide
communities of color access to technology. This is the brainchild
of Microsoft retiree Trish Millines and former Seattle Mental
Health practitioner Jill Hull. TAF was started in October 1996 to
educate communities to the role of technology in their present and
future.
Break Away Technologies
http://www.breakaway.org
15,000 foot access center in South Central Los Angeles that uses
donated computers to give technology classes for neighborhood
residents and area schools. Break Away also teaches leadership and
responsibility in efforts to facilitate students entering this
increasingly technological workplace.
OpNet
http://www.opnetwork.org/
San Francisco-based OpNet helps bridge the digital divide by
creating economic development opportunities for low-income young
adults, increasing the employment of women and people of color in
the digital economy, and helping to meet the growing demand for
skilled new media workers. OpNet is a compelling national model
that forges a strong business-community partnership to benefit
both the new media industry and low-income youth.
Computers in Our Future
http://www.compfuture.org/compfuture
A five-year initiative charged with developing 11 community
computer training centers in low-income neighborhoods across
California.
Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP)
http://www.sriconsulting.com/weap
Provides access for women and minority-owned businesses to
high-tech equipment and applications in Oakland, CA. A computer
training program offers basic, intermediate and advanced computer
training to prepare low-income women and minorities for
well-paying jobs and better careers.
East Harlem Tutorial Program
http://www.east-harlem.com/ehtp.htm
EHTP in New York City supports students in all forms of learning
programs, technical and otherwise. EHTP believes that support
depends on developing the capacities of every member of the EHTP
extended family, the students, their parents and ties guardians,
volunteers, staff, trustees and donors.
Kids Computer Workshop
http://www.kcw.org
Bringing technology and mentoring to Washington, DC's at-risk
youth. Provides computer skills training that focuses on literacy
and critical thinking activities. Seeks to build youth confidence
and self-esteem while exposing them to positive role models.
CitySkills
http://www.CitySkills.org
CitySkills.org is a non-profit intermediary committed to job
training and placement of underemployed urban adults into Internet
careers. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, CitySkills.org is
developing curriculum, technical assistance, and a jobs linkage
model to help community groups match training to the needs of
employers. The web site offers over 150 pages of free tools and
guidance.
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SURVEYS AND STATISTICS ON
COMPUTER ACCESS
Falling Through the Net: Defining the
Digital Divide
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/
Released by NTIA in July 8, 1999, this is the third report in the
Falling Through the Net series on the Telecommunications and
Information Technology Gap in America. The National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an
agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive
Branch's principal voice on domestic and international
telecommunications and information technology issues. NTIA works
to spur innovation, encourage competition, help create jobs and
provide consumers with more choices and better quality
telecommunications products and services at lower prices.
Bridging the Digital Divide: The Impact of
Race on Computer Access and Internet Use
http://www2000.ogsm.vanderbilt.edu/papers/race/science.html
A comprehensive report analyzing the demographic patterns of
Internet access and computer usage from late 1996 to early 1997. A
systematic examination of the differences between African
Americans and whites in the U.S. with regard to the influence of
education and income on technological access.
Buildings, Books and Bytes: Libraries and
communities in the digital age
http://www.benton.org/Library/Kellog
A report on how libraries can help communities move into the
digital age.
Closing the Digital Divide: Enhancing
Hispanic Participation in the Information Age http://www.cgs.edu/inst/trc.html
Study on computer ownership and use among Hispanics between
1994-98.
NUA surveys
http://www.nua.ie/surveys
A service which gathers Internet-related data and demographics
from a variety of sources and posts them on the Web site. Also a
mailing list with weekly updates of various Internet usage
information, focusing on how many people are "online'.
Web Users are Looking More Like Americans
http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/pubper/pdf/pp93b.pdf
Study that found the population accessing the Internet
increasingly reflects the general population. The report notes
that there is still a difference, though, in the areas of
education and income: web users are still more likely to be people
with college degrees and incomes of at least $50,000, and adults
with a high school education or less account for only 19% of web
users.
Computer Intelligence
http://www.ci.zd.com
Source of fact-based information on computer and communications
industry trends and activities.
Civil Rights Forum on Communications
Policy
http://www.civilrightsforum.org/
The Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy works to bring
civil rights organizations and community groups into the debate
over the future of our media environment The site includes a
discussion and research on the digital divide. It also includes
information on community organizations, links and other resources.
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