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I N S I D E
Bryant Youth calendarVolunteer Training United Way Volunteer Program Management 101 Training CTC Peer Networking Meeting what's hotnews challenge"Turn the web on its head. Show us how online news can help people improve their lives and shape their communities." That’s the challenge from the Knight Foundation competition, seeking new ideas, pilot projects, commercial products and leadership initiatives that will improve the flow of information and news in the public interest. In 2007, they will award a total of $5 million to individuals, organizations or businesses that can show their ideas will transform community life. Apply here by Dec. 31. volunteer profileSenior volunteer Joe Ike encourages residents of the senior living community at Kawabe House to use technology to connect with the world. Read more about Joe's work in the November issue of Senior Digest. winner is
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q&a |
Don't miss Ask the Mayor on the Seattle Channel. It's a Q&A show featuring host C.R. Douglas and callers in local issues discussion with Mayor Greg Nickels. Next taping is December 13. Email your questions in advance to askthemayor@seattle.gov.
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Greg Nickels, Mayor Department of Information Technology BILL SCHRIER chief technology officer BUSBONG SEARS acting director, office of electronic communications DAVID KEYES manager, community technology program staff  D.H. CASS MAGNUSKI editor |
Byrant Manor students celebrate TAF TechStart graduation.
bryant manor empowers youth
Youths in the Central District have found a place to learn new skills, teach others and give back to their community: the Bryant Manor Computer Learning Center. Located in a multifamily housing building owned by First AME Church, the lab offers a fun environment for young people to learn and grow.
"Our kids come from many diverse backgrounds," says Lab Director, Makini Magee. "They often struggle with fractured family dynamics due to their parents coming from different cultures and speaking different languages."
The computer lab provides a safe place for them to come for information and support. Makini teaches the kids technology skills through programs like TAF’s Techstart, and encourages them to share what they’ve learned by serving as peer educators.
Many of the students go on to join a leadership program which rounds out the kids’ development in areas like writing and penmanship. The lab has received funding from the City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund to further its work with youth and create a Central Area Youth Advisory Council. This council will work towards serving as a voice of the youth groups in the area and advise the Central Area Stewardship on issues relating to youth. For more information on Bryant Manor, contact Makini Magee or call (206) 324-2261.
Accessible voting machine.
disabled residents cast their votes
The November election dust has settled, and it’s time to look at the winners and losers. Disabled Center Park resident, Charles Kinder, counts himself as a winner, even though he wasn’t elected to an office. For the first time, Charles and many other voters with disabilities were able to cast a truly secret ballot using an accessible voting unit.
This year, all polling places in King County gave residents the option to vote using accessible devices. The voting units come with both a screen with large print for the visually impaired and audio output for the blind voter. The units also can display multiple languages and alert voters when they skip a race to prevent overvoting. A summary screen then gives voters a chance to check and change their votes before they cast their ballot.
Jacque Cook, manager of the Star Center, a computer lab that serves those with disabilities, was excited about the possibility of her clients voting independently. In order to prepare folks to use the devices correctly, the Star Center and King County hosted a demonstration of the technology prior to the election.
"We wanted to encourage and empower everyone to participate," said Cook. At the demonstration, Charles Kinder remembered the exhilaration of the first time he voted in 1956. Throughout the years, he has always voted with the assistance of a sighted poll worker. "Being able to vote myself this year is even more exciting," he said.
For more information on the accessible voting visit MetroKC. For more information on the Star Center, email Jacque Cook.
learn how to get accessible
According to our 2004 Seattle IT Indicators research, residents with disabilities were much less likely to have computer access at home than others (58% vs. 83%). Most of our community technology learning centers could do more to help meet the community need for greater access to computers and programs run in community learning centers. CTCNet is providing a great opportunity to build capacity and receive funding for work to ensure residents with disabilities, and all abilities are able to use and benefit from computer resources.
CTCNet, in partnership with the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is conducting “C4All” training institutes. The institutes provide an overview of the "Universe of Abilities," a self-assessment tool; planning activities; and hands-on demonstrations of "Cool Tools." Attendance also makes you eligible to apply for $20,000 grants. See more at CTCNet.org for upcoming workshops.
s.e.c.u.r.i.t.y
you have received a postcard
Watch out for “You have a post card” email spams, which encourage recipients to click on a link to receive “the rest of the message.” Rather than a message from “someone who cares about you” the link leads to a website that downloads malicious software on to your computer. If you receive an e-mail of this nature, delete it without opening it. As a reminder, never click on a link embedded in a suspicious e-mail.
fake myspace video installs adware
Security researchers have discovered a number of user pages on MySpace containing what appear to be YouTube videos that come bundled with an adware installer, an application that loads intrusive pop-up advertising software onto infected PCs.
Users curious about the Windows Media videos are directed to a site called "Yootube.info." The site, which has no affiliation with the Google owned video clip site, has a picture of a scantily clad young woman on its front page.
Surfers lured onto the site via the MySpace link are invited to accept an end-user licensing agreement in order to watch the video. If the user accepts, the video downloads while also covertly attempting to install the adware installer. The attack uses a Windows loophole previously used to spread Trojans and other malware.
d.o.l.l.a.r.s
Deadline: Dec 18, 2006
Provides funding and support to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create new, sustainable, civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses. Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community.
Verizon Tech Savvy Awards
Deadline: Jan 12, 2007
Funds programs that demystify technology for families and enable parents to better guide their children in the use of technology for the purpose of learning.
Neighborhood Matching Fund
Small and Simple Grants
Deadline: Jan 15, 2007
Provides funds to Seattle neighborhood groups and organizations for a broad array of neighborhood-initiated improvement, organizing or planning projects.
Verizon-MCI Public Purpose Fund
Deadline: Jan 15, 2007
Provides funding to underserved populations for community technology projects that provide technology training and improved access to technology. Funds the establishment or expansion of CTC's, and the use of the Internet to help people find jobs, training and educational opportunities and otherwise aid in creating stable lives and communities.
new pew data on online health
The Pew Internet Project recently announced the release of its report, Online Health Search 2006. According to the study, 80 percent of American Internet users, or about 113 million adults, have searched for information on at least one of 17 health topics. Most Internet users start at a search engine when looking for health information online, however, very few check the source and date of the information they find. To read all the key findings or the full report, please go here.
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