Companies Join to Help Bridge the Digital Divide
The Kaiser Family Foundation has teamed with the AOL Time Warner Foundation, American Library Association, Benton Foundation and others to launch ConnectNet/Conectado. The multi-faceted public education campaign is designed to help sixth- to 10th-graders who do not have computers at home gain free or low-cost access to computers and the Internet in their own neighborhoods.
The program includes a large Internet directory that guides users to locations where public Internet access is available, including more than 20,000 libraries and technology centers across the nation. A teen-friendly brochure on the ConnectNet/Conectado campaign and the importance of being computer-savvy will be distributed to teens by civil rights groups, local libraries and youth centers. Fun and engaging public service announcements in Spanish and English will also be broadcast to encourage minority teens to become computer literate. The spots publicize a toll-free number and Web sites through which teens can find computer resources in their neighborhoods. ConnectNet/Connectado Campaign, Washington, D.C., (866) 583-1234, www.conectado.org, www.connectnet.org.
This article originally appeared in the 08/01/2001 issue of THE Journal.