Communities Connect Network: Advancing e-Inclusion in Washington State through Community Tech

Abstract

Communities Connect Network(CCN)* is a statewide coalition of public and private organizations working to ensure that Washington State is a leader in “Digital Inclusion”–that all individuals have access and the skills to use the Internet and its resources/ information through community technology centers (CTCs). These community-based organizations provide public access to computer and Internet training for underserved populations. As discussed by Crandall and Fisher (Forthcoming) and in the seminal “Falling through the Net: Toward digital inclusion” NTIA report (2000), digital inclusion goes beyond access to include technology literacy and relevant content and services as the cornerstones of full engagement in the iSociety. The Communities Connect Network adopted this framework in their work to develop a statewide network of CTCs over the past two years, through targeted training activities for CT providers, development of an online community network for the providers, and advocacyefforts in which the providers were engaged to present a common voice to the state legislature. As a member of CCN, the purpose of our research was to gauge how people of Washington State were (a) using and (b) benefitting from CT services in terms of individuals, families, and communities; and then derive aggregate statewide benefits.