CyberMichigan - Ameritech Digital Inclusion

AMERITECH DIGITAL INCLUSION AWARDS PROGRAM 2001

General Information about Awards Program

The Ameritech Digital Inclusion Awards Program is a statewide competition to spark creative actions by communities to ensure the inclusion of all their members in the digital society. As a global communications leader, Ameritech understands that all people must have equal access to these new digital tools because technology—and equal access to it—is critical for building and maintaining strong and vibrant communities. CyberMichigan, a non-profit organization is committed to ensuring that all Michigan’s residents are able to benefit from information technology. Ameritech and CyberMichigan have formed a partnership focused on building a digitally inclusive Michigan. We both know that many adults and children do not have the knowledge and skills to use computers and the Internet to locate critical health information or expand their learning and job opportunities, or participate in community on-line forums or enjoy the benefits of e-commerce and e-government. In short, these citizens are fast losing their capacity to be productive in their communities and Michigan is losing the creativity and capability that these people, armed with technology, might bring to the State. By joining together, Ameritech and CyberMichigan are providing Michigan communities with a unique opportunity to develop community driven programs that will ensure digital inclusion for all their members, especially those who are in under-represented populations including people of color, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and seniors.

Goals

Ameritech and CyberMichigan have the following goals for this program:

Provide a mechanism for stimulating Michigan communities to develop creative programs to ensure that under-represented populations including people of color, at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and senior citizens have the access and knowledge to use information technology.
Promote community collaborations as vehicles for designing and implementing sustainable solutions.
Challenge communities to obtain matching resources in order to leverage the Ameritech funds and to create a means for sustainability beyond the grant period.
Build statewide awareness through the grant program of community efforts to address the Digital Divide.
Create a web-based resource through which all Michigan communities can learn about the experiences of the grantees, especially lessons learned.