Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts

What Is Digital Inclusion? Every Minneapolis resident deserves access to the social, civic, educational and economic opportunities the Internet provides.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts 68% of Americans use the Internet  70% of Whites  57% of African-Americans  38% of Americans with disabilities  37% of Hispanics  29% who have not graduated from High School  26% age 60 or older “Digital Divisions”, Report of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, October 2005 A Nation Online?

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Persistent Barriers Include  Limited technology literacy skills  Anxiety, fear of technology tools  Limited education, general literacy levels  Language, accessibility barriers  Irrelevant content  Availability of affordable broadband service (rural and low-income communities)  Cost of entry (hardware)

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Why is Access Important?  Job listings & applications  E-Government services  FAFSA- Student Aid application online  Filing taxes, vehicle & business licenses  Register & communicate with K-12 teachers  Communicate with elected officials  Loans and banking services  Health care information (Medicare Part D)  “Social Inclusion”

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts The Digital Divide: A Minneapolis Snapshot Kim Havey, the former director of the Minneapolis Empowerment Zone, estimated that less than 20% of households in the Empowerment Zones neighborhoods, which include Phillips, have home computers.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Phillips/ Ventura Neighborhoods Using this estimate, there are 690 potential computer users for each public-access computer available in the neighborhood in any given week. This includes public libraries, open labs at schools, and CTCs. Research by: L. A. Stolarczyk Waite House, Pillsbury United Communities Community Technology Empowerment Project

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Digital Inclusion Requires: Training Training Access Access Hardware Hardware Content Content

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts By providing high speed, low-cost broadband Internet service, will help bridge the ACCESS gap.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts A Community Benefits Agreement provides a unique opportunity to address the TECHNOLOGY LITERACY gap. A Community Benefits Agreement provides a unique opportunity to address the TECHNOLOGY LITERACY gap.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Community Benefits Agreement A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is required as part of any final contract with broadband/IP vendor(s). The CBA will focus on how to best support new technology users in underserved communities.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts …through support for the development of local, relevant CONTENT

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts …and/or support for technology VOLUNTEER & MENTORING programs

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts …and/or support for HARDWARE refurbishing programs & discounts Wireless card Wireless router

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts ….and/or affordable SOFTWARE, including security, accessibility and open source tools

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts The Digital Access + Equity Campaign A grassroots effort to inform, educate and organize Minneapolis residents around Digital Inclusion efforts, and discuss CBA issues.A grassroots effort to inform, educate and organize Minneapolis residents around Digital Inclusion efforts, and discuss CBA issues. Community Meetings began in November 2005Community Meetings began in November 2005 Sponsored by C-CAN, The Community Computer Access Network & The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, with support from the MSNet Fund of the Minneapolis FoundationSponsored by C-CAN, The Community Computer Access Network & The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, with support from the MSNet Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation Residents and non-profit representatives have been meeting…

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Online CBA Survey What should the CBA include? --Assessing Community Needs

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Subsidized or Free Individual Accounts 40% listed this as CRITICAL 40% answered VERY IMPORTANT Discounted or Free Non-Profit Accounts 60% answered “DISCOUNTED” 33% answered “FREE” Ideas related to Community Benefits (from current survey data)

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Free Service to Schools, Parks, Libraries and Community Technology Centers (CTCs) 52 % answered CRITICAL 28% answered VERY IMPORTANT 14% answered IMPORTANT Discounts to Small Businesses 48% answered IMPORTANT 20% answered VERY IMPORTANT 17% listed this as CRITICAL

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts To support efforts that address community technology needs, a vendor supported “Digital Inclusion Fund” might be part of the CBA.

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts How will community-generated ideas & recommendations impact the City’s formal contract negotiation process?

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Taskforce collects CBA ideas community surveys, meetings, events and s Taskforce reviews, prioritizes and makes CBA recommendations to negotiators City negotiates CBA with Vendor (as part of overall service contract)

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts This taskforce will coordinate (and receive) all of the community input that the City receives through its own and other agencies’ meetings, surveys and forums. The Digital Inclusion Task Force

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts The taskforce will then integrate that community input to craft Community Benefits recommendations that can be used during the contract negotiations. The Digital Inclusion Task Force

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Community Leaders Representing: K-12 Public Schools K-12 Public Schools Minneapolis Libraries Minneapolis Libraries Non-Profit Organizations Non-Profit Organizations Higher Education (MNSCU and U of M) Higher Education (MNSCU and U of M) Greater Twin Cities United Way Greater Twin Cities United Way Corporate Foundations Corporate Foundations Local Employers, Businesses Local Employers, Businesses Local Government Agencies Local Government Agencies Minority, Senior and Disability Communities Minority, Senior and Disability Communities Who serves on this Task Force?

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Articulate a Community Technology Agenda for the City of Minneapolis Articulate a Community Technology Agenda for the City of Minneapolis Review community input & oversee Review community input & oversee CBA recommendations Task Force Objectives:

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts understand existing technology needsunderstand existing technology needs examine community-based strategies examine community-based strategies that meet these needs negotiate benefits that help bring more negotiate benefits that help bring more Minneapolis residents online Community input will help the Task Force, city staff, vendors, and elected officials:

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts Complete the online CBA survey atComplete the online CBA survey athttp:// Attend C-CAN/ Alliance for Metropolitan Stability roundtable meetings. Call (612) Attend C-CAN/ Alliance for Metropolitan Stability roundtable meetings. Call (612) Attend City-sponsored events and pilot activities …information on City and DigitalAccess websitesAttend City-sponsored events and pilot activities …information on City and DigitalAccess websites Get Involved, Stay Informed!

Community Benefits & Digital inclusion Efforts visit for meeting dates and locations wirelessminneapolis/