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Impact on Our Community: Digital Inclusion

(Editor's Note: During Washtenaw County's Planning Process to create the 2008/2009, we will make a concerted effort to bring out the stories of how County services and service collaborations impact our community.  For more information on this rigorous and important Planning Process, please see the dedicated web site.)

Have you heard about Wireless Washtenaw?  How about the Digital InclusionTask Force?  Well, Digital Inclusion is a "piece" of Wireless Washtenaw and is made up of a community of business members and partners trying to promote education and improve quality of life by the incorporation of technology into the community.  The goal is to "eliminate the Digital Divide in Washtenaw County by enhancing the availability, accessibility and education surrounding Internet connectivity." 

The task force compiled survey data from two focus groups, the ETCS workforce Development and Foster Grandparents.  Response from both groups was approximately 50% had no computer.  Additionally, Foster Grandparents indicated that cost was the main factor in over 50% of the responses, and for the Workforce Development responses, it was almost 75%.

The Task Force determined a variety of benefits to the community with Digital Inclusion:

Economic

• At home PC use develops computer skills, enhancing employability.
• Computer literate workers drive productivity.
• Businesses are drawn towards communities with a talented workforce, which in turn increases the potential for economic development.

Social Justice

• An increasing number of organizations are moving services online - leaving the "offline" population at risk of exclusion.
• Quality of life can be enhanced by the wealth of information that is available on line.

Community

• Internet access increases the convenience with which individuals can tap into their community and explore their local resources.

The process begins by the resident who needs assistance making contact with a qualifying partner (someone they may already deal with, Barrier Busters, ETCS). The task force, consisting of many companies (Technology Disposition Partners) who have committed to "reuse and store" their resources, makes the connection for distribution, thus sending the machine on it's path to reprogramming and a new home.

An example of the possibilities this program offers is the Boost and Step Program. Derrick Jackson, Director of Elections, presented Digital Inclusion at a recent Barrier Busters[CREATE A LINK HERE TO THE CIS ABOUT BARRIER BUSTERS?] meeting.  Naomi Williams attended that presentation and contacted Derrick about a program she is affiliated with, the Boost and Step Program.  The Boost and Step Program is designed to help children boost their self esteem and motivate them to do their best at school.  Helping children from their most basic needs, food and clothing, all the way through to providing tutors for school.  Naomi was encouraged by the possible partnership of her program with Digital Inclusion Task Force.

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