eChicago Conference

Slide 1: Public Access Computer Labs: Struggles, Victories, and Forwarding the Agenda Presented by: Shireen Mitchell President, Community Technology Centers' Network Director, Digital Sisters/Sistas Inc.

Slide 2: 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.

Slide 3: 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

Slide 4: 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)

Slide 5: 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

Slide 6: 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)

Slide 7: 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

Slide 8: 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

Slide 9: 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

Slide 10: Fears and Struggles  Cyberbullying/stalking  Internet Predators (Julie Amero story)  Social Networking Profiles  Identity theft  Filters

Slide 11: 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

Slide 12: 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

Slide 13: Contact Information Visit www.ctcnet.org to find out more.  Shireen Mitchell, President  director@digital-sistas.org  Stephanie Gagne', Managing Director  sgagne@ctcnet.org