The Digital Ride— Mobile Technology for Communities project promotes the use of

technology through the development of a model program that will disseminate technology

training and make computer access readily available to low-income and economicallydistressed

urban and rural communities.

After initial set-up, the strategy to be employed uses a generative, two-tiered training

approach combined with a mobile technology resource center (The Digital Ride). An expert

team delivers instruction aimed at assisting connection to technology resources, ensuring the

inclusion of people of all ages with and without disabilities and those at risk. Community

learning teams will consist of community members, senior citizens, and persons with

disabilities advised by teachers, scientists, and interested members of relevant non-profit

groups and businesses. This team will train and support, in a synergistic fashion, other

regional teams that are part of the community, non-profit organizations and school systems.

The program will actively guide participants through technology applications using

project-based science and technology learning modules that encompass a broad range of

subjects, including the use of educational internet resources, personal portfolios and resumes,

digital videos, Internet radio stations, Computer Assisted Drafting (CAD) diagrams, graphic

arts, audio CDs, etc. Special outreach services will be available for people with disabilities and

senior citizens -who are statistically prevalent in these low-income areas.

The Digital Ride program will provide technological education and bring the computers to

the communities that can’t afford them. Focusing adults on continuing education and literacy,

career exploration, career development and job preparation, including computer skills training

(basic and advanced), resume writing workshops, and access to databases of employment

opportunities, career information, and other online materials. Focusing children in these

communities on skills that will enhance their education, allowing them to experience and

prepare for careers and lives that are increasingly dependent on computer technology.

Mobile centers have proven effective in reaching rural communities for programs like

literacy, dental and medical care, and Aids awareness; the Digital Ride will apply this model to

technology training and education by remaining in each community for a minimum of two to

three months. This allows time for the program to get to know the communities and their

unique technological needs and then provide the education and training the communities need

to meet them.

The Digital Ride vehicles will have two stand-alone computer stations and the capability

to house two wireless mobile labs with 15 computers each. This gives each vehicle the

potential of providing 32 wireless networked computers to the Internet. The wireless

computers with a range of 150’ will help to facilitate the program’s adaptive environment,

providing to people with disabilities and senior citizens, in addition to the acquired vehicles

built-in features, such as lifts and ramps. The environment inside and surrounding the vehicles

will provide inclusion for the greatest spectrum of community members possible.

The program’s community driven approach will enable its participants to build a network

of support in each community and develop community partnerships and liaisons. It will

continue to foster growth in these communities by facilitating communication with K-12 after

school programs, adult literacy programs, industry and non-profit groups, as well as community

collection sources, databases, conferencing and communication facilities, leader training,

• Lack of training: Vague or minimal computer instruction, especially in regards to Internet

access, is often the case. Often, individuals are not totally included in information retrieval.

Clientele are frequently struggling just to 'survive' with poor communication amongst

themselves as a result. If an inexpensive means could be established for people to

communicate and possibly act in a consortium fashion, benefits would be realized by all

involved. Often, administrative personnel are not technically trained and lack many

computer-related skills. Consequently, it may be difficult for such people to engage in

electronic, or for that matter any, media type conversations.

• Minimal computer usage: Information dissemination in programs includes no easy

mechanism for wide distribution. There is little, if any, follow-up on how well information is

distributed. Also, these programs have not systematically utilized computers.

• Limited number of computer contacts provided: At present, little information is available via

• Much has been said about what inclusion on the "Information Superhighway' can offer, but

little has been done to make inclusion a reality.

• Peer training programs that encourage sharing of information would increase emergent