ODIS on KPFA

Eloise Rose-Lee, Broadband Project Manager and ODIS Organizer from Media Alliance, visited the KPFA offices on January 18th to spread the word about ODIS. You can listen to her discussion here.

Eloise spoke with First Voice, a co-sponsor of ODIS, about the use of digital technology in community empowerment. First Voice is a program of KPFA. The mission of First Voice is “to facilitate community building and creative empowerment through healing, creative expression, and the adaptation of information technology. The ‘First Voice’ exists deep within ourselves, it is the consciousness or intuition that leads the way.”

Digital Self-Expression & Community Engagement

Three other Oakland-based groups that promote digital inclusion among their programs are the Women of Color Resource Center, Covenant House’s Cov Records, and the East Bay Asian Youth Center’s (EBAYC) Streetside Productions.

 

The Center for Digital Storytelling

Information and communication technologies are the tools people use to transfer information back and forth, whether that’s via equipment like a telephone or via electrical bits across the Internet superhighway. Without the human communication and creativity, however, those technologies are meaningless. While access to these technologies is crucial for breaking down barriers, people need to be able to apply the tools to their lives to take part in the information exchange. 

 

Eastmont Computing Center

Oakland is full of awesome organizations that give all they’ve got for the wellbeing of their community. These organizations recognize the importance of digital inclusion in their mission, whether that means incorporation of digital inclusion activities in their programs or full dedication of their mission to digital inclusion. We at ODIS headquarters are psyched to see so many of Oakland’s community organizations signing up to speak, present examples of their digital inclusion activities, host a booth, or simply attend the ODIS in February. One such organization who will be speaking and hosting a booth at the Summit is Eastmont Computing Center.

 

Speaker Roster

The ODIS speaker lineup has grown into an exciting assortment of digital inclusion experts! These speakers are sure to get the Oakland wheels turning toward a digital inclusion strategy. Get to know the speakers a bit:

 

“The Oakland Digital Inclusion Summit”

On February 15, 2008 Oakland is hosting its first Digital Inclusion Summit (a.k.a. ODIS) at the Laney College Theater. ODIS will bring together community members, policy makers, industry professionals, educators, and nonprofit agencies working across the digital inclusion and government sectors to discuss policy direction, strategies, new partnership opportunities, and how best to utilize emerging technologies to provide affordable technology and internet access throughout Oakland. Particular attention will be given to neighborhoods and areas with minimal coverage and low-income communities.

 

“From Digital Divide to Digital Inclusion”

A terrible chasm divides communities in the United States into those that have access to high-speed Internet and those that do not. This problem exists across regions and cities, isolating communities from the information super-highway and crippling sustainable growth. From Oakland to Ocotillo, California faces a bold challenge to bridge this digital divide and ensure that all Californians have access to affordable Internet technology and the training needed to customize that technology to meet their local needs.