Chapter Five Technology Activities to Support Digital Solidarity: Developing a Plan of Action Written By Mary Kolesinski, EdD Evelyn Nelson-Weaver, EdD Daryl Diamond, PhD

Planning Funding Distribution Training and Support Evaluation Prepare a Needs Assessment Prepare a Needs Assessment Set-up a survey on a free website Hold focus groups Prepare a detailed budget for grants Look for matching funds Inform all stakeholders of your plans Contact and train key personnel first Hands-on access Needs-directed criteria Technology support Ongoing throughout program Available online and in person Action Plan for Innovative, Technology-Enhanced Programs and Activities 2

Sample Technology-Enhanced Programs Including All Populations K-12 School Programs Utilize community resources to supplement district’s technology budget Access state & national funds for technology needs state After-School Programs Partner with community organizations to obtain technology materials and personnel community 3

Sample Technology-Enhanced Programs Including All Populations Post-Secondary Program US colleges offer students computer labs, Internet connectivity, accounts, software downloads, 24/7 tech support and online courses Colleges offer fully adapted computer labs and technology training for disabled students computer labscomputer labs Universities provide technology labs for their local communities technology labs technology labs 4

Sample Technology-Enhanced Programs Including All Populations Community Programs HealthHealth and legal professionals reach out to disadvantaged populations in their community. legal Healthlegal Social organizations are opening their own community technology centers National Technology Programs National Education Technology Plan 2010 National Education Technology Plan 2010 States have developed their own technology integration models Connect2Compete 5

Creating a Technology Plan of Your Own Agencies offer guidelines for writing tech plans National Center for Technology Planning National Center for Technology Planning National Center for Technology Planning National Center for Technology Planning Private companies Private companies Private companies Private companies Non-profit organizations Non-profit organizations join together for planning and budgeting for technology Non-profit organizations 6

Sample Technology-Enhanced Educational Activities for All Levels of Ability and Achievement 7

Sample Technology-Enhanced Community Activities for All Levels of Ability and Achievement 8

Questions? More Information? 9

References 10 Assistive Technology Industry Association. (2012). What is assistive technology? Retrieved from City of Oakland, California (2012). Hacking – the OPR way. Retrieved from Consumer Electronics Association Foundation. (2012). CEA Launches Foundation in Support of Seniors and People with Disabilities. Retrieved from Press-Releases/ CEA-Foundation-Announcement.aspx Press-Releases/ CEA-Foundation-Announcement.aspx Dye, J. (2011, March). Mapping out a mobile strategy. EContent. 34 (2), Retrieved from

References 11 Family Center on Technology and Disability. (2012). Glossary. Retrieved from Homeless Pre-Natal Program. (2010). Community Technology Center. Retrieved from Microsoft. (2012). Developing an Accessible Technology Plan. Retrieved from Murray, K. (2011, September 11). Five tips for planning training sessions that actually work [Web log post]. Retrieved from planning-training-sessions-that-actually-work/ planning-training-sessions-that-actually-work/1016

References 12 Sommarstrom, S. (2011, August). Minnesota Justice Foundation Pro Se Clinics. Using technology and social media to assist underserved populations. Panel conducted at the meeting of the American Bar Association. Status Solutions. (2012). Press. Retrieved from events/press/story/52/status-solutions-catie-self-service- technology-recognized-by-the-assisted-living-federation-of- america events/press/story/52/status-solutions-catie-self-service- technology-recognized-by-the-assisted-living-federation-of- america Texas Education Agency. (2006). Long range plan for technology, Retrieved from

References 13 United States Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2010). Transforming American education: Learning powered by technology. Retrieved from Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center. (2012). Broadband access project. Retrieved from Washuk, M. (2011, March 20). 10 years after laptops come to Maine schools, educators say technology levels playing field for students. Maine Sun Journal. Retrieved from Willis, S. and Mann, L. (2000). Differentiating instruction: Finding manageable ways to meet individual needs. Retrieved from Association for Supervision and Development website: