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I do want to take a minute to highlight something, especially for my Columbus audience that I think is very important, and really one of the best ideas I've ever seen.
If you haven't already, head over to Shiny Door and check out the details OneWebDay.
I've talked before about the importance of technology, not just that it's become such a integral part of our society, but that so many lack access, lack knowledge, and don't have anyone to teach them how as it were.
Every day at the library I talk to at least one person who has to accomplish some task, whether searching for housing, signing up for an email account, applying for a job, creating a resume, or even applying for unemployment or other government assistance. All of these things are made that much more difficult when "you just don't know how."
Now, a lot of times when you just don't know how, you can just not do it. (Like my math homework in high school, but that's another story.) But you just can't "not do," things like those listed above because things like housing and jobs are pretty darned important aren't they?
To even take this to the next level - What if these folks could create a network for themselves using Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter - how much better would quality of life be for them. How much more included and most especially valued would they feel if they just knew how?
Take a big breath there and think about that for a second. What would your life be like without technology? Or how about without the Internet?
Yeah, I feel that way too. Very, very fortunate indeed.
Many folks are not so fortunate, Too many are just plain getting left behind, and frankly Scarlett that just stinks.
Well, I give a damn. I know you do too, and as fate would have it, we are not alone.
From the Wiki:
This
year, OneWebDay focuses on the importance of access to fast, affordable, open Internet for all people, otherwise known as digital inclusion. OneWebDay Columbus has planned an array of activities around the idea of digital inclusion, including classes and seminars, technology refurbishment and more. At OneWebDay Columbus participants will have a variety of opportunities to both volunteer (example - refurbish computers) and learn (example - Legalities of Open Source Software workshop). If you cannot spend time at our event but still want to be a part of this worldwide day of web celebration, please consider donating computer components no longer in use. We will be using them to teach the refurbishing and recycling. Our experts can take old slow computers and turn them into useful tools again.
For more information on Columbus OneWebDay join us at http://my.onewebday.org/group/cbusowd and help make it One Web. For All.
In the end, it's all about access. We have it. Too many others don't.
OneWebDay brings us together so that everybody is included, so that everyone has access, so that everyone has an opportunity to learn how.
I am trying to clear my schedule to participate. I will definitely be donating some computer components.
Maybe you can help out too?
We're all in this together after all.
2 comments:
Ha - I am, quite literally, a day late and a dollar short. On the other hand, I feel like we help bring people to equal web access at the Library every day, right? Cool idea, though - I hope it can grow!
I think we do do a good job at the library providing equal access. I was really glad I had the older post to link back to, and that I was able to provide more library context in conjunction with this.
I didn't get to actually go to the event, but I did donate some equipment / components. I didn't even have to get out of my truck - they made it so easy.
My friend Angela is a really strong advocate for bringing the web to everybody. It has made such a difference in my life, especially in the last year, that I feel honored to be able to continue to help her out anyway I can.
The two of you remind me of each other kinda - with your sense of community. That's very cool!
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