Project Summary statement
Within urban centres many isolated and marginalized communities have been unable to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Information Highway because of access barriers experienced even when allowed access to a physical public terminal.
Our experience suggests that provision of technology is simply not enough, people need to be empowered to use the technology and the host organizations need to take ownership of the Public Access Sites. When access sites themselves are integrated with the programs offered by the host organization, the organization has a vested interest in maintaining and optimizing the use of the terminal. When Public Access Sites are integrated with the programs offered, users take greater advantage of the site for meaningful use of the Internet. We have also found that full access means making sure that both the technology and content are user centered.
Recognizing the need to enable people who are in isolated communities access to the Information Highway the partnership of the Labour Market and Career Information Association of British Columbia, (LMCIA), a non-profit organization whose mandate is improving access to quality career and labour market information and career services, and the Vancouver Community Network (VCN), The Job Seeker Internet Access project will address issues of meaningful access by providing non-profit community-based organizations delivering employment services with the access, training and support to allow them and their clients admission to the career/employment information, resources and contacts available via the Internet.
The Vancouver CommunityNet is already a working access network in that we provide ready access to the Internet and community information for thousands of individuals and groups in the greater Vancouver Region. With our basic technical infrastructure and access model we see the opportunity to move to the next challenge of providing genuine wide access and of overcoming problems encountered by VCN in developing an urban Public Access model.
The Goals of the Job Seekers Internet Access Project are to provide at risk youth with access to Internet technologies and training necessary to improve and promote career/employment opportunities; to provide increased Internet access to local non-profit, community-based employment service providers targeting at risk youth; to build partnerships that will support and sustain project goals; and to provide a project model that is transferable to other British Columbia communities.
The project is divided into 4 overlapping phases.
The main objectives of the project is to set up 15 Employment Service Provider Internet access sites that will focus on the issues of youth unemployment and will address the issues of access that we have outlined. These objectives will be achieved in partnership with 15 Employment Service Providers and other key players such as Vancouver Public Library and 411 Seniors Centre Society.
Presently, public access is provided as a text only service using a Lynx web browser. The project includes research, purchase and installation contemporary modem, termserver and switching equipment. This will enable us to provide both text and graphic based Internet access at 15 employment service provider agencies in the Greater Vancouver area that target at risk youth. Accessible equipment, graphic format, integrated with employment programming and the opportunities of the World Wide Web will enable youth to increase their opportunities to gain employment by enhancing their skills through both programmed and accidental learning.