Re: [DDN] Introductions
Quoting Foo HK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Perhaps all members can enlighten the rest of us what measures are > we taking to close the digital divide. I volunteer with an organization called Knowbility (http://www.knowbility.org), which works to increase the access to tech-related education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities/people using assistive technologies. I've created some of the materials they use in their trainings, I've volunteered onsite at their events (like their Accessibility Internet Rallies, or AIR, which teach web designers about they importance of accessibility and then these designers apply those skills to building or improving web sites for nonprofit organizations), and I do what I can to send funding leads its way so that they can continue their work. I also use my own blog (http://blogs.forumer.com/jcravens/) and my web site (http://www.coyotecommunications.com) to promote accessibility, and any time in the last 10 years when I've had the opportunity to have input on a job description for a web designer, I've campaigned for basic accessibility design skills to be a requirement, and for any web site I'm involved with to meet accessibility standards. Regarding gender and the digital divide, I was able to work with a few telecenter initiatives in developing countries to help them create a safe space for women and girls to feel comfortable using the computers provided to the public, and I hosted an online forum at TechSoup addressing this issue, but I haven't really done much on this in a few years, unfortunately (no opportunities to do so). That's my story! <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] Web 2.0 leaves out people with disabilities
In June, The Washington Post featured a report on the ways in which some new digital technologies are inaccessible to people with disabilities. Per this Digital Divide (which is a design choice -- it simply does not have to be this way!), legislation has been introduced in the US Congress that would tighten access requirements for communications and entertainment providers. The article follows. Access Denied The Blind or Deaf Can Feel Left Behind As the Tools of Technology Advance By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, June 19, 2008 Olivia Norman's fingers fly across her laptop keyboard, dexterously tapping out instant messages to friends and entering Google searches without committing a single typo. A minute later, she's listening intently to the voice cues that help her read e-mail and send text messages on her Motorola Q smartphone. Norman is blind, so the cues help her navigate the tiny keypad and understand the words on the screen. She is not able to order an on-demand movie from Comcast because she can't read the on-screen menus. And she had trouble setting up an iTunes account because the speech-synthesizing software she relies on couldn't find the right link on the Web site. "It's a curse and a blessing at the same time," said Norman, 27, who lives in Cleveland Park. "The Internet has revolutionized my life, but there are basic things that are still completely inaccessible to people like me." In many ways, Web technologies and mobile devices have created new ways for blind and deaf consumers to find information and connect with friends. But as entertainment and communications tools increasingly take digital form, some people with disabilities feel left behind. Online videos are not required to have captions for those who can't hear, for example, and ticker-style emergency messages are not narrated for those who can't see. A number of efforts by various groups have tried to address some of these hurdles over the past few years. For example, the Federal Communications Commission last year ruled that Internet phone services, such as Vonage, that connect to the public telephone network must be compatible with hearing aids and relay services, as traditional phone companies' service is. The agency also decided that wireless carriers must ensure that at least half of their cellphones are compatible with hearing aids. Five years ago, the FCC set rules requiring video operators to provide "video description" services that narrate scenes for people with visual impairments. But those rules were overturned in court when movie studios argued that the FCC did not have authority to make such rules. Today, a Democratic congressman plans to introduce legislation that would restore those requirements, as well as bring other big changes to the way Internet phone and video are designed. "Now we're full-blown into this digital era, and we, in general, need to upgrade the laws that ensure that there is accessibility for all the people who use these new technologies," said Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. The bill, also sponsored by Rep. Heather A. Wilson (R-N.M.), calls for new rules for devices that display video programming. Federal law requires all TV sets with screens larger than 13 inches to display closed captions. Under the new legislation, all gadgets from MP3 music players to cellphones would be required to show captions. Devices would also be obligated to provide video description services and read aloud emergency messages that scroll across the bottom of the screen. And they would have to be designed so that on-screen menus are usable by people with disabilities. In addition, Markey's bill would extend existing Internet phone service requirements to Skype and similar services that let users exchange voice, text or video communications over the Internet. Various advocates of people with disabilities have lined up in support of the bill, arguing that it's high time that the law spelled out technology standards that consider the needs of consumers with visual or hearing impairments. But tech industry groups say that such a list of requirements will dampen the innovation that's already making these products and services available and more accessible. They also argue that new regulations will drive up the price of products for all consumers. "No one thought about these things five years ago, and yet these technologies are coming down the pike on their own and we need to make sure we don't stifle that growth," said K. Dane Snowden, vice president of state and external affairs for CTIA, the wireless industry's main lobby group in Washington. Robert McConnell, a 23-year-old student at Gallaudet University in Northeast Washington, said Web cameras, instant-messaging programs and his BlackBerry allow him to communicate in ways that wer
Re: [DDN] Introductions
Quoting Mary Dawson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Do you think that the digital divide runs much deeper than the 'haves' > and 'have not's' though? I certainly think so. I'm discouraged that few discussions about the "digital divide" talk about how people using assistive technologies/who have disabilities are locked out of the digital world, particularly Web 2.0, only because of the design choices that have been made. I'm also discouraged at the lack of discussion regarding how design choices are leaving out people who aren't using the very latest hardware and software -- something that not only can the majority of people not do because of economics, but also something the Earth could not sustain. The digital divide is *much* more than just lack of access to networking tech. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc http://www.coyotecommunications.com/ Bonn, Germany <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] No Cost & Low Cost Online Tools for People w/Disabilities
The National Service Inclusion Project (www.serviceandinclusion.org) regularly posts to the AmeriCorps list (ACList), an email-based discussion group regarding AmeriCorps. This was a post that I thought the Digital Divide Network community would be interested in: Access to computer technology is critical to a level playing field in today's world. Qualified people with disabilities need the same level of access to computers as non-disabled service members and volunteers. Reading and writing documents, communicating via email, and searching the Internet for information, are tasks that many people need to use everyday in their service positions. A lack of access to computers can create barriers for otherwise qualified service members and volunteers. The comprehensive guide titled, "Low Cost and No Cost Online Tools for People with Disabilities", provides a wide array of information and resources. The main purpose of the guide is to provide technology resources that increase access to computers for people with disabilities. For example, the guide can be used to help identify resources for people with disabilities who would benefit from such software as voice output programs to compensate for speech or reading disabilities. There are many other types of resources in this guide that will help the reader learn about what technologies exist, how to obtain funding for various types of computer technology-hardware, software and assistive, as well as how to use existing legislation to advocate for assistive technology, and many other related topics. To review this guide, go to: http://www.ataccess.org/resources/lowcostnocost.html To see a complete list of trainings that NSIP offers, or to request training, go to: http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=request <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Do Internet Filters Undermine the Teaching of 21st Century Citizenship?
> Much of my > presentation relied on links to relevant YouTube clips > that have influenced policymaking and elections. The > only problem was a filter blocked access to the clips, > so I was forced to pantomime the videos. I had asked some online volunteers to use YouTube and other resources to find videos that provided examples of nonprofit organizations advocating for their causes or trying to educate the public about a particular issue. And they sent me several links and descriptions. And I couldn't look at any of them because, that same week, both my guest house in Kabul and the IT guys at work decided to put in a more strict firewall. I understand why they did it -- because of bandwidth. But the firewall is also now preventing me from accessing materials relating to gender and development. In my case, Internet filters are undermining my abilities to access information I need to do my job most effectively... <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] India: Women Empowerment via ICTs
Women Empowerment via ICTs 'You teach us and we can do it' - This was the overwhelming response of the 20 odd women from the rural areas of Gujarat, who attended the workshop organised by Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) (http://www.sewa.org/) along with UNDP, held in Delhi, India on 30-31 March 2007. Over two days, the workshop delved on the critical aspects of how ICTs can empower women to address issues of poverty and livelihood challenges. We heard evocative stories of how women from the most backward areas of the country had broken the boundaries of illiteracy, caste and social backwardness to independently raise their social and economic status. http://www.i4donline.net/articles/current-article.asp?articleid=1161&typ=Rendezvous (I have *nothing* to do with this initiative) <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Connecticut Red of Face: Delaying Admission of Wrong Decision
> "The evidence is very strong, very clear-cut, that the defendant was the > only person that had access to that computer," Smith said in his closing > argument. The pop-ups argument, he told judge and jury, was ridiculous. I have no idea if this person is guilty or innocent in this case, but I will never forget when the pop-up-porn thing happened to me: it was 1999 (yes, I remember the year). I was at work, at a computer only I used. I was reading a newsgroup I checked at least twice a day. I can't remember if I merely opened a message on the group or if I clicked on a link within a message, but suddenly, the pop-up porn started. All those windows started popping up on my computer screen with the most disturbing images imaginable. I was absolutely mortified. I'd never heard of this happening. I completely panicked. I almost started crying. I was so glad I didn't share an office with anyone, and that no one came into my office in the following minutes. I was also relieved that the tech support person had had this happen to her as well, was so incredibly understanding, and could come right over to fix the problem. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] GenderIT Call for Writers
This call for contributions is issued specifically for advocates, journalists, bloggers, researchers, and people from the Africa region and Arab world working in the field of gender, development and/or ICT policies. For information on requirements for participation, priority areas, the issues to be covered, deadline and indications for forwarding contributions please visit: http://www.witt-project.net/article400.html http://www.genderIT.org http://www.apcwomen.org (I have NO further info!) <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] The Dimitra Project
(WOUGNET is also putting out a call to organisations interested in becoming a Dimitra focal point in Somalia. Send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED], with 'Dimitra Focal Point' in the subject line. The interested organisation should have an involvement in Rural development with a gender bias, and have an information, research component in their work.) New partner for the Dimitra Project in the East Africa sub region: DONET, Tanzania http://www.wougnet.org/Projects/dimitra.html The Dimitra Project is an information and communication project implemented by the Gender and Population Division of Food and Agriculture Organisation with the aim of empowering rural populations by building capacities and facilitating access to Information. The project works with local partners in Africa and the near East and is a tool to enable rural women through their associations and grassroots organisations to make their voices heard at the national and international level. Dimitra's main goal is to empower rural women and to improve their living conditions and status by highlighting the extent and value of their contributions. Modern and traditional information and communication technologies are used to encourage networking and share information. As the regional focal point in the sub region, WOUGNET coordinates Dimitra activities, establishes local partnerships and collects, encodes and disseminates information on NGOs, research institutes and information activities pertaining to rural women or rural development with a gender approach. In line with the projects main vision of consolidating and extending its network in Africa, promoting information exchange by strengthening information and communication skills and updating and disseminating information on gender and rural development issues, WOUGNET has established National Dimitra partnerships in Ethiopia, Kenya and with Dodoma Environmental Network (DONET) in Tanzania. DONET's mission is to sensitize, educate and involved any individuals and community based organizations in environment conservation so as to ensure and promote optimum and sustainable use of natural resources in Dodoma and Tanzania as a whole. For further information about the Dimitra Project in the Eastern Africa region, please contact Ms. Janet Cox Achora, WOUGNET Programme Officer - Rural Access at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or the following WOUGNET contacts: Office: Plot 53 Kira Road Tel: +256-41-4532035 Fax: +256-41-4530474 Post: P.O. Box 4411, Kampala, Uganda ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] shared phones in the developing world
An online volunteer referred me to a resource on the Future Perfect blog, and I've spent about 30 minutes on the blog now given how much blogs bore me, that's a major statement. It's "about the collision of people, society and technology, drawing on issues related to the design research" conducted by the blogger on behalf of her employer, Nokia. A essay on Shared Phone Use can be found here http://www.janchipchase.com/sharedphoneuse and a presentation entitled "Shared Phone Practices: Exploratory Field Research from Uganda and Beyond" can be downloaded from research dot nokia dot com http://research.nokia.com/people/jan_chipchase/JanChipchase_SharedPhoneUse_vFinal_External.ppt [7MB, PowerPoint]. A full list of related research can be downloaded from http://www.janchipchase.com/publications and you can sign up to be notified of new downloads by email info @ janchipchase.com with the word subscribe in the subject line Good stuff. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
Re: [DDN] Netsquared's Innovation Fund Award - voting extended to April 16
Quoting Michael Maranda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > The NetSquared voting period has been extended to April 16th, there is still > time! > > The prize for the 20 projects receiving the most votes is an expenses-paid > trip for two to the Net2 conference in Silicon Valley, where project members > will mingle with representatives of major foundations, companies and tech > gurus who will provide support for their work in cash and in-kind > contributions. In short, a gold mine for a new project. > > You can vote for up to ten projects (minimum five). > http://www.netsquared.org/projects/vote > > Here are a few I'd like to bring to your attention... Here's one that I want to bring to everyone's attention, and it fits perfectly with the focus of this group -- digital divide issues: ATSTAR - Assistive Technology: Strategies, Tools, Accommodations and Resources Voting Summary. This pilot program, by Knowbility.org (an organization I've supported as a volunteer since 1997) is bringing tools and resources to teachers and parents to build their capacities at schools across the USA regarding assistive technologies, to give more educational (and ultimately, career) opportunities for K-12 children with disabilities. This pilot program already has a lot of successes under its belt, but being chosen as one of NetSquared's projects would take ATSTAR to full capacity, benefiting a far greater number of students and creating resources that will help for many, many years to come. I don't lend my name to causes unless I know them inside and out and really believe in them. ATSTAR / Knowbility is a cause I'm proud to be associated with in any way. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] Global Alliance for ICT & Development meets again
NOTE: I'm *not* associated with this initiative, so please don't write me for more information. --- Information and communications technologies (ICT) are crucial in spurring development, dignity and peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a video message to a gathering of technology experts, activists, corporate leaders and government officials on Feb. 27, 2007, for the opening of the Steering Committees meeting of the Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technologies and Development, a UN initiative. Governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and others must join forces to promote new business models, public policies and technology solutions in the global approach to development, he added. Members of the Alliance will brainstorm with Silicon Valley leaders tomorrow to determine how the UN and the business world can work in tandem to bring the benefits of ICT to developing countries. Increasing access to technology will be a critical driver of economic growth in emerging economies, said Craig Barrett, Global Alliance Chair and Intel Corporation Chairman. Its time to focus on actions with results, not protocol. Our focus can improve peoples lives. The Alliance was formed last year, and is well placed to promote the use of ICT in fighting poverty, illiteracy and disease, in protecting the environment and empowering women and girls, Mr. Ban said, underscoring how technology can be utilized to meet the Millennium Development Goals, a set of globally agreed targets that aim to deal with a host of social ills including eradicating extreme poverty by 2015. This session held in Santa Clara, California, is the third since the Alliances creation last year and will span two days. More info: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sgsm10888.doc.htm NOTE: I'm *not* associated with this initiative, so please don't write me for more information. Greetings from Kabul. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Jayne Cravens, MSc jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services www.coyotecommunications.com/ International Development Work & Studies www.coyotecommunications.com/development <><><><><><><><><><><><><> ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@digitaldivide.net http://digitaldivide.net/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
