2010 Technology Matching Fund Grants

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 8th at 5:00pm. See more on our Technology Matching Fund page.

City Report Shows Level of Tech Access and Adoption...and Barriers to Participation

The City has released the results of its survey on Intenet use by Seattle residents, showing greater use, interest in high speed Internet, and a lagging digital divide. The 2009 Information Technology Access and Adoption Report finds that Seattle has reached a new plateau in connectivity with almost 84% of households having Internet and 74% with higher speed services, mostly through cable and dsl. However this was significcantly lower for some population groups. Education and income were found to be the strongest two predictors of information technology adoption, but there were also significant differences based on ethnicity, language, disability and age.

For the full report, visit our Indicators Survey Report Page.

Puget SoundOff Wins
People's Choice Award!

CityClub's 2009 Community Matters Campaign (CMC) has selected PugetSoundoff (PSO) as a recipient of their 2009 People's Choice Awards! PSO was selected as one of six diverse and dynamic recipients for their success in "increasing youth involvement and engagement within the community while encouraging expression of one's beliefs, respect for others, and commitment to public service." Awards will be presented at the Community Matters Campaign Finale Celebration on Monday, November 16. Read more about the awards and Community Matters Campaign here.

City of Seattle Celebrates One Web Day and Digital Inclusion

City of Seattle research has found that even in "high tech" urban areas like Seattle, there is still a significant and troubling digital divide in access and opportunity. On September 22d, One Web Day, we joined with Neighborhood House, Reclaim the Media and Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG) to recognize how connected Seattle is, how far we have to go, and the important community technology work being done here and across the country and the world to bring digital opportunities to all. For the full statement, please click here. Also see the Public Interest Internet Agenda just released.

2009 Tech Matching Fund Grants Announced

Seattle Wins National Award for Puget SoundOff Youth Web Project

The City of Seattle has won an award from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for best web and e-government services for the youth online civic engagement project, PugetSoundOff.org.

This award recognizes the unique opportunity we're providing for online youth expression and civic engagement and the partnership between the City, Metrocenter YMCA, University of Washington Center for Communications and Civic Engagement, One Economy and others. Puget SoundOff provides area teens with a community networking and online engagement site, together with on the ground training in media literacy, cause related journalism and content development. Seattle youth organizations, including teams at Youth Media Institute, Rainier Vista Neighborhood House and Horn of Africa Services have led the use of the site developing online groups and posting video, blogs, photos and more. Thanks to the Seattle Youth Commission and the City's Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board for their help developing the project. The site also features Flash-based curriculum on web 2.0 and civic engagement as well as tips for online safety.

Visit PTI for more information on the PTI competition and Puget SoundOff to see an array of blogs, video and images on what youth are "sounding off" about today! Puget SoundOff is currently running a contest calling on young people to design their own law. The contest runs through June .

Rules of Public Computer Use
Now available in 14 languages

The City of Seattle developed a set of rules for public computer use. We provide public access to computers in order to ensure that all residents have access to government services and other essential resources, to encourage civic participation and to increase technology literacy. Search for public computing locations with the Techmap Directory (www.seattle.gov/tech/techmap).

The directory makes it easy to find appropriate programs and services. It lists more than 160 sites in Seattle, King County and surrounding areas that offer access and training. Centers are organized by geographic area and contain information about programs, facilities, community served and availability.

You can find sites by location or use the search page to look for specific training, languages or programs. If you know of a program not listed here or have updates, let us know.

Seattle Free Wifi Pilot Project

The City of Seattle provides free public wireless Internet service in Columbia City and the University District as well as four downtown parks (Occidental, Freeway, Steinbrueck and Westlake) as a pilot project. Free wifi is also provided at Seattle Public libraries and the Seattle Center Center House. Learn more about our Seattle Wi-Fi project. If you have questions or problems with service, you can email communitytechnology@seattle.gov or leave a message on our WiFi infoline at 684-8070.

Seniors and Youth Present Community Perspective

See the results of a Technology Matching Fund Electronic Civic Engagement project, which brought together limited English speaking elders and youth in the International District to use pda's, community mapping, and photojournalism as tools to raise voices and foster discussion about the current status and future development needs of the neighborhood. Developed by the Internal District Housing Alliance (IDHA) WILD program in partnership with Sustainable Seattle and Photovoice.

View presentation slides.

See our Home Computer and Internet Security Brochure (PDF). This is also available in 8 other languages: Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog & Vietnamese

Contact Vicky Yuki for copies.

Visit our Free Access to Computers and the Internet page for locations & hours of public access sites near you.

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