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. << back
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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. << back
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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. << back
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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. << back
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