World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is May 17. It all started in 1969 to mark the founding of the International Telecommunications Union of the United Nations and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.

Information Society was added to the day in November 2005, when the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) called upon the UN General Assembly to declare May 17 as World Information Society Day. The purpose was to focus on the importance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the wide range of relevant issues raised by our growing Information Society. The development arm of the ITU works to “help spread equitable, sustainable and affordable access to information and communication technologies (ICT).”

The WSIS has held two major international summits with a primary focus on the global digital divide. At the time of the summits, there was also Citizens Summit held by non-governmental organizations to raise awareness and call for more action. The telecommunications and information society days were joined in 2006.

Lowell Deo and Neighborhood News Visit InterConnection
The SeattleChanell's Lowell Deo visited DoIT Community Technology grant recipient InterConnection to learn about their program of reusing and recycling old computers with volunteer labor. Here's a link to online video of the complete feature from the weekly CityStream program.

Digital TV Forum
The Seattle City Council recently sponsored a forum discussion regarding the changes ahead in broadcast television, namely, the transition early next year to digital. Councilmember Bruce Harrell is joined by DoIT director Bill Schrier and by a helpful representative from RadioShack, who describes the various antenna and signal converter options available to consumers. View the online video.

City Inside/Out: Council Edition
Join host C.R. Douglas for a monthly conversation with members of the Seattle City Council. City Inside/Out: Council Edition premieres the fourth Wednesday of every month, and features a conversation about the issues with three Seattle City Councilmembers. SeattleChannel viewers are invited to take part in the conversation by sending email through the City Inside/Out: Council Edition show page. City Inside/Out: Council Edition tapes a few days in advance of its premiere, so be sure and send your question early.

As we observe and celebrate APA Heritage Month in May, we reflect on questions of equal access, information dissemination and civic engagement. Brainstorm decided to ask a few of our partner agencies, largely serving APAs, many of whom are lower income and limited-English proficient, “Why is technology literacy important to your community?” Here is how a couple of these agencies responded. These and other agencies serving APAs in the Seattle area can be found at the Community Technology Programs Tech Map.

“For APAs, particularly immigrant and refugee community members who are isolated by language and culture, technology literacy means increased opportunities to connect, participate, and engage via increased access to information and other communities relevant to their needs, interests, and communication styles.” --Asian Counseling and Referral Services

“We believe that technology literacy is important to our community because it creates possibility and opportunity for the youth, makes life-time learning more achievable and adaptable for immigrant adults, empowers the vulnerable population with a fair and equal access to the resources they need most to support their independence and develop their potential.” --Chinese Information and Service Center

A new phishing scam is related to the IRS economic stimulus rebate. It arrives in an email message that appears to be from the IRS. The email includes text that attempts to convince you to click on a link to a website before a deadline to expedite the rebate prcess. If you click on the link, the website will request bank account information.

US-CERT and the City of Seattle Office of Information Security recommends the following:

• Never follow unsolicited web links received in email messages
• Check the us-cert.gov web site for several good documents about avoiding email scams, social engineering and phishing attacks
• Also check out the irs.gov Suspicious E-Mails and Identity Theft web site for information on the latest scams.
• Warn any family members or acquaintances - especially those who might be more vulnerable to these type of scams.

The Regence Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Provides funds to organizations addressing three priorities: health care access and quality, the use of technology to engage and educate health care consumers, and improvements to the way the health care system supports individuals and families during the end-of-life process.

AT Match
A reuse web site that provides consumers in Washington with access to used and second-hand assistive technologies. This online marketplace allows you to post, search for, and purchase a wide range of assistive technology devices and durable medical equipment.

Alexander & Baldwin Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Provides funds to improve the quality of life in communities in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Illinois, and the Pacific Northwest. Supports community-based projects and organizations focused in the areas of health and human services, education, the community, culture and arts, the maritime arena, and the environment. Preference given to projects that address significant community needs, have the active support of A&B employees, are preventive in nature, and have the demonstrated support of the community.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to Brainstorm, please email us, and we'll add you to our email notification list, or subtract you per your request. If you have ideas for future stories, please let us know and we'll try to accommodate them. We encourage you to visit the City of Seattle's Community Tech pages, seattle.gov/tech.