FAQs

What is Digital Inclusion?

Digital inclusion is social inclusion in the 21st Century. It is about ensuring that individuals and disadvantaged groups have access to, and skills to use, Information and Communication Technologies and are therefore able to participate in and benefit from Washington’s growing knowledge and information society.

Digital inclusion encompasses three areas: 1) Access, 2) Technology Literacy, and 3) Relevant Content & Services.  Inclusion seeks equity for all residents, as well as small businesses and community-based (non-profit) organizations. 

How will "Digital Inclusion" happen?

Statewide digital inclusion will benefit many sectors and every community in Washington by “leveling the playing field” for all residents to gain essential skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed in the 21st Century. To work for digital inclusion in Washington State, we must allow affordable access to digital resources, effective and relevant training in the use of digital tools, and meaningful and culturally appropriate content.

What is the Council on Digital Inclusion (CoDI)?

Across the state multiple groups are grappling with the challenge of including all of Washington’s citizens in the opportunities offered by 21^st century technologies.  From rural hospitals to community service centers run by nonprofit organizations to after school programs for kids, lack of access to computers, computer literacy and relevant content present numerous barriers to our state’s goal of being a leader in digital inclusion.

The Council on Digital Inclusion provides these groups with a forum for the coordination of statewide efforts to overcome those barriers.  The Council identifies common goals, enables the creation of new partnerships, and establishes legislative and executive branch priorities and strategies.  They also function as an advisory group to statewide initiatives such as the Digital Inclusion Fund; a statewide grant program for community technology providers.

Council members represent groups such as

1. Technology industries 

• Steve Kipp, Comcast
• Lew McMurran, WTIA
• Johan Hellman, Verizon
• Mary Taylor, CenturyTel
• Aki Namioka, Cisco

2. Industry associations and unions

• Gail Love, Communication Workers of America

3. Educators

• Patrick Jones, SIRTI, Eastern Washington University
• Rob McDaniel, Washington State University
• Mike Gaffney, Washington State University
• John Glenewinkel, Superintendent of Schools, East Valley, Spokane
• Louis Fox, University of Washington

4. CT Practitioners

• Bill Ellis, Puget Sound Center for Training, Learning and Technology
• Luversa Sullivan, Allen Renaissance
• Alison McCaffree, NPower
• Joe Diehl, Digital Promise
• Jenn Brandon, Community Voice Mail
• Carole Folsom-Hill, La Casa Hogar

5. Rural hospitals administrators

• Jeff Mero, AWPHD

6. Government

• Senator Jeanne Kohl-Wells, Washington State Legislature
• Representative Zack Hudgins, Washington State Legislature
• Representative Deb Wallace, Washington State Legislature
• Dan Ruddell, Department of Social and Health Services
• Tamara Jones, Department of Information Services

7. Other allies of digital inclusion

• Theresa Atkinson, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
  

How does CCN make a difference?

1) Participate in studies that inform knowledge about Washington’s availability of access; 2) Support and promote the formation of a state-level digital inclusion council; 3) Support and promote efforts to map programs that provide digital inclusion opportunities to under-served, under-represented and digitally excluded populations; 4) Align with other efforts with similar goals; 5) Prepare a group of effective community technology practitioners to educate key decision-makers in the workforce, education, financial literacy and technology/utilities sectors about digital inclusion; and 6) help community technology practitioners offer better and more effective services.

Who is behind the Communities Connect Network?

CCN's activities are coordinated by a core team  comrised of representatives from City of Seattle Community Technology Program, NPower Seattle, One Economy, Stone Soup, University of Washington Information School, and WSU Center to Bridge the Digital Divide.

What is the purpose of the Communities Connect Network?

CCN addresses the need for increased funding and technical assistance among community technology programs statewide through a statewide strategy to promote "digital inclusion." By 2012, CCN envisions a statewide environment for broad digital inclusion for all Washingtonians, especially those who are currently under-served, under-represented, or otherwise digitally excluded. We believe that those in under-represented, under-served areas of the state are often not served by technology as they should and could be. Sometimes that means they need access to training, and we can help them in ways that are culturally appropriate and and more helpful in their communities.

Who is responsible and provides oversight for Communities Connect?

During the current phase (ending June 2008), the WSU Center to Bridge the Digital Divide serves as the "lead facilitator" of the Communities Connect Network. A leadership team was formed in 2006 and provides guidance and assistance.

What is Community Technology?

While there is no firm definition of "Community Technology," the term is broadly describes a programmatic response in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) are directly and purposely applied as informative and/or educational interactions to achieve development goals of under-served, under-represented and digitally excluded populations. Please see the "Defining Community Technology" page on the CCN Interactive web site.

Can I join Communities Connect?

The answer is yes! This group can only be stronger as we include more people who care about Washington's communities! If you're associated with an organization whose goal is to improve the lives of individuals and the quality of their communities in Washington State, and if your approach leverages information and communication technologies, to achieve these goals, then you may benefit by joining this initiative and Communities Connect will benefit from your participation. Contact the Manager of Communities Connect for details.