Public Access Computer Labs: Struggles, Victories, and Forwarding the Agenda Presented by: Shireen Mitchell President, Community Technology Centers' Network Director, Digital Sisters/Sistas Inc.

Community Technology Centers' Network CTCNet is a national membership network of over 1,000 community technology centers (CTCs) and other non-profits, united in their commitment to provide technology access and education to underserved communities. CTCNet works through the CTC Network to provide resources and advocacy to improve the quality and sustainability of CTCs.

History of Community Technology Tony Stone - Playing to Win Community Technology had its roots in Playing To Win (PTW), a non-profit established in 1980 to counter inequities in computer access. In 1983, PTW opened the first public access computer center to be established in a low income area in Harlem NY. 1992 – Playing to Win Network First Annual Affiliates Conference 1995 – Education Development Center project CTCNet Community Technology Review (1996-2005)‏ http://www.comtechreview.org/issue.php

Tony Stone - Playing to Win

Community Technology had its roots in Playing To Win (PTW), a non-profit established in 1980 to counter inequities in computer access. In 1983, PTW opened the first public access computer center to be established in a low income area in Harlem NY.

1992 – Playing to Win Network First Annual Affiliates Conference

1995 – Education Development Center project CTCNet

Community Technology Review (1996-2005)‏

http://www.comtechreview.org/issue.php

Practicing, CTReview Enabling bottom-up ownership of the creation of information is the essence of the CTCNet difference. For powerless people — be they the young or elderly, poor or victimized — to acquire the global potential of the Internet is inherently empowering. The Community Technology Movement exists to remind and demonstrate that technology exists to serve people, not the other way around. This truth is obscured both for those in the new techno sweatshops and for the computer illiterate. Community Technology Centers are pioneering antidotes to the antisocial side effects of technology. (Community Technology Review, 1996)‏

Enabling bottom-up ownership of the creation of information is the essence of the CTCNet difference.

For powerless people — be they the young or elderly, poor or victimized — to acquire the global potential of the Internet is inherently empowering.

The Community Technology Movement exists to remind and demonstrate that technology exists to serve people, not the other way around. This truth is obscured both for those in the new techno sweatshops and for the computer illiterate.

Community Technology Centers are pioneering antidotes to the antisocial side effects of technology. (Community Technology Review, 1996)‏

Accomplishments – Victories National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Digital Divide Reports http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/anol/index.html Digital Opportunities Programs - Clinton/Gore Community Technology Centers Grants Dept. of Education (1999 – 2002)‏ 337 awards @ $129,327,590 Technology Opportunities Programs - NTIA 610 awards (1994 - 2004) @ $23 million Katrina – CTC's seen as a survival resource/tool

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Digital Divide Reports

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/anol/index.html

Digital Opportunities Programs - Clinton/Gore

Community Technology Centers Grants

Dept. of Education (1999 – 2002)‏

337 awards @ $129,327,590

Technology Opportunities Programs - NTIA

610 awards (1994 - 2004) @ $23 million

Katrina – CTC's seen as a survival resource/tool

Washington State Legislation Historic step to define Community Technology as an important strategy for the State's future Allocating $500K to support Washington's Community Technology programs. March 12, 2008, Senate Bill 6438 Statewide broadband development process Community Technology Opportunity Program (CTOP)‏

Historic step to define Community Technology as an important strategy for the State's future

Allocating $500K to support Washington's Community Technology programs.

March 12, 2008, Senate Bill 6438

Statewide broadband development process

Community Technology Opportunity Program (CTOP)‏

Youth Visions Multimedia training program that engages low-income and at-risk youth in community asset mapping, video documentary making, and neighborhood advocacy so that: youth realize their role in community problem-solving community members increase their perception of youth as vital assets to their neighborhoods

Multimedia training program that

engages low-income and at-risk youth in

community asset mapping, video

documentary making, and

neighborhood advocacy so that:

youth realize their role in community problem-solving

community members increase their perception of youth as vital assets to their neighborhoods

A Youth-Driven Curriculum EXPLORATION interview community members, create a community asset map, and tell the “story” from different perspectives ANALYSIS Choose an issue of interest (youth-driven)‏ Research the issue online and in the community Build a PowerPoint presentation PRODUCTION Shoot as needed and editing ACTION Visit community leaders and decision-makers Host community events

EXPLORATION

interview community members,

create a community asset map, and

tell the “story” from different perspectives

ANALYSIS

Choose an issue of interest (youth-driven)‏

Research the issue online and in the community

Build a PowerPoint presentation

PRODUCTION

Shoot as needed and editing

ACTION

Visit community leaders and decision-makers

Host community events

Struggles New Names: Digital Inclusion, Broadband Initiatives, Social Media or Networking Administration Changes and Political Struggles Fewer Reports – A Nation Online (2004)‏ Net Neutrality (bandwith hogs)‏ Wireless municipal networks Broadband deployment w/o training Convergence of technology (cable, telecom, mobile, VOIP, etc.) Computing vs Mobile technology

New Names: Digital Inclusion, Broadband Initiatives, Social Media or Networking

Administration Changes and Political Struggles

Fewer Reports – A Nation Online (2004)‏

Net Neutrality (bandwith hogs)‏

Wireless municipal networks

Broadband deployment w/o training

Convergence of technology (cable, telecom, mobile, VOIP, etc.)

Computing vs Mobile technology

Fears and Struggles Cyberbullying/stalking Internet Predators (Julie Amero story)‏ Social Networking Profiles Identity theft Filters

Cyberbullying/stalking

Internet Predators (Julie Amero story)‏

Social Networking Profiles

Identity theft

Filters

Top 5 priorities for the future Broadband Initiatives that include deployment, computing equipment and training/education Legislation like Seattle to create and fund a community technology bill, divisions that include Community Technology or Digital Inclusion directors Workforce/Literacy/eGov “ Technology changes but people remain the same” (Connie Reece, Frozen Pea Fund)‏ CTC's as Libraries and Libraries as CTC's

Broadband Initiatives that include deployment, computing equipment and training/education

Legislation like Seattle to create and fund a community technology bill, divisions that include Community Technology or Digital Inclusion directors

Workforce/Literacy/eGov

“ Technology changes but people remain the same” (Connie Reece, Frozen Pea Fund)‏

CTC's as Libraries and Libraries as CTC's

Elections, Politics & Legislation You Tube Debate Myspace, Twitter, Blogs (oh my!)‏ New administration will bring new opportunities? Refunding or funding new federal and local digital inclusion programs

You Tube Debate

Myspace, Twitter, Blogs (oh my!)‏

New administration will bring new opportunities?

Refunding or funding new federal and local digital inclusion programs

Contact Information Visit www.ctcnet.org to find out more. Shireen Mitchell, President [email_address] Stephanie Gagne', Managing Director [email_address]

Visit www.ctcnet.org

to find out more.

Shireen Mitchell, President

[email_address]

Stephanie Gagne', Managing Director

[email_address]