Closing The Digital Divide: Partners To Place 500 More Computers In Low-Income Dallas Homes

Dallas - May 8, 2001 – “Ensure access and use will follow” may be the digital age version of the adage, “Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Seeking to bring computer access and training to low-income households, Dallas-based Business Access already has provided hardware and Internet access to more than 500 families and plans to distribute 500 more computers this year.

Funded through WorkSource, the Dallas County Workforce Board, Business Access will work with The Enterprise Foundation and local community-based organizations to identify the additional 500 households. Computers placed in participant’s homes, in combination with Internet access provided by the program, allow “@chiever” participants the ease and comfort of completing their courses without the need for child care or the use of public transportation. When @chievers complete the program, the computer is theirs to keep. The online community offers customized training programs, career explorations, help functions for literacy development and online interaction.

By 2006, nearly half of all U.S. workers will be employed in industries that produce or intensively use information technology products and services. Yet the number of American workers currently possessing these skills does not match even today’s demand. The Information Technology Association of America indicates a demand for 1.6 million new workers over the next 12 months. It predicts more than 840,000 of those open IT jobs will go unfilled.

The Business Access program can open the door to this sector for traditionally low-income workers. The computer program is open to Welfare to Work participants who are employed full or part time and currently reside in a residence that matches their DHS address of record. The participant must complete an eight-hour orientation class, must be present in home for computer installation and must participate online five hours per week.

Dallas residents interested in the program should contact one of the following workforce centers to apply:

Residents in need of a job lead and/or job training can find out about area Job Fairs by contacting one of these workforce centers, as well.

Business Access provides online and technical program management including web development, computer configuration, ISP, computer installation, phone installation, curriculum management, technical support, content development/management and online activities facilitation.

The Enterprise Foundation rebuilds communities. Working with partners and a national network of 1,900 nonprofit organizations in more than 700 locations, Enterprise provides low-income people with affordable housing, safer streets and access to jobs and child care. Enterprise has raised and committed more than $3.5 billion in equity, loans and grants to help build or renovate more than 120,000 homes. Launched by Jim and Patty Rouse in 1982, Enterprise is building America one community at a time.

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Contacts:
Kim Bunting, 972.931.4198, ext. 222
Chuck McCarter, 214.651.7789
Nicci Millington, 410.772.2444