COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY 2.0

Mission

The mission of the Community Technology 2.0 project is to build and expand community technology center capacity in Houston HOPE neighborhoods to better serve existing and new clients.

Community Technology 2.0 (CT 2.0) is a collaborative project between Technology For All and Houston HOPE. It was created to build and develop the capacity of existing Community Technology Centers (CTCs), while creating new CTCs where none exist, in the seven Houston HOPE neighborhoods.

Community Technology Centers (CTCs) provide many valuable programs to assist children and adults expand their knowledge, skills and abilities to fully participate in Houston’s information society. Additionally, these centers are housed within a welcoming, safe environment and staffed by dedicated and knowledgeable community volunteers.

Through CT 2.0, TFA provides CTCs with the following:

• Leadership, expertise, and curriculum resources.
• AmeriCorps*VISTA members to assist with the development of community outreach plans.
• Consultation and planning, using the Standards of Excellence Program.
• Equipment and software as available, including recently acquired Assistive Technology for persons with disabilities.
• Training events, including an annual conference.
• Web services with training.
• Advocacy on a local and national level with government, media and key opinion leaders.

C4All All Assistive Technology Priject

The mission of the C4All Assistive Technology Project is to serve as a resource for Community Technology Centers (CTCs) serving clients with disabilities as they use technology to gain full access and participation in their communities and the world beyond.

Technology For All received a 2007 “C4All” grant from the Community Technology Centers Network that was funded by AT&T. The purpose of the grant was to assist TFA in developing and implementing a plan to increase the ability of Houston area CTCs to serve clients with disabilities. TFA has utilized the grant to develop and implement the C4All Assistive Technology Project.

The C4All Assistive Technology Project will provide participating CTCs with user-friendly technology tools and helpful resources to meet the needs of disabled clients in underserved communities.

Technology For All will achieve the following through the C4All Assistive Technology Project:

• Deliver targeted professional development that increases capability to work with people with disabilities to CTC staff and volunteers.
• Provide assistive technology resources and guidance to CTCs that create more inclusive community-based environments for all people
• Assist CTCs reach out to their community by planning accessible outreach and welcoming everyone including people with disabilities to their Centers

Technology For All will provide the following in order to ensure the efficiency and long-term success of participating CTCs in the C4All Initiative:

• Effective referral process to identify the assistive technology resources available
• Information about assistive technology options
• Consultation on assistive technology tools
• Training opportunities and demonstrations of effective uses of assistive technology
• Valuable materials and literature for classroom instruction on a trial or short-term basis
• Collaboration in developing assistive technology recommendations
• Innovative and exemplary services to CT 2.0 Community Technology Centers

For more information, contact Pam Gardner (Pam.Gardner@techforall.org), Director of CTC Support and Development at 713.454.6415.