Communities Connect Network

Communities Connect Network (CCN) is a statewide coalition of public
and private organizations working to make Washington state
a leader in technology opportunities for all.

Access to Technology Is About Much More than Technology

It's simple -- those with greater technology access and skills have more opportunities for better education, better jobs, higher quality health care, and greater success in 21st century life. Unfortunately, even in our high technology state of Washington, we are far from having equitable access to the benefits of technology for all residents.

Hundreds of nonprofit organizations and a number of public agencies across Washington state are working hard to ensure residents have the access, skills and content they need to succeed in our 21st century economy. These community technology programs are the frontline in Washington in providing public Internet access, training to build skills, and online services for everyone in our state. CCN wants to support those programs so that everyone in Washington state has adequate technology access and skills - the same level of "digital inclusion."

Ensuring digital inclusion requires the right policies and sufficient investment. Community technology programs often lack the funding and other supports needed to sustain successful programs, let alone improve and expand their services. It is often easier for these organizations to get equipment than pay for the skilled staff needed to bring everyone into the 21st century. In order to create a level playing field for all residents, these programs need us all to step forward as a digital inclusion leaders.

What CCN is Doing to Help

Our vision is that Washington is a leading technology state that ensures digital inclusion - where every resident has sufficient access to information technologies and the Internet, digital literacy skills, and the knowledge to both find and create meaningful online content - regardless of where they live, how much they make, or their race, gender or age.

CCN brings together community technology providers with state and local governments, corporate, philanthropic, and individual supporters to advance the breadth and quality of our commitment to digital inclusion. We aim to establish a "level playing field" so that all residents are able to fully participate in Washington's increasingly technology-rich society. With its partners, CCN supports service providers, conducts research, and disseminates and trains community technology providers on best practices. It brings awareness of the need for and impact of digital inclusion to public officials, business leaders, and the citizens of Washington state.

CCN is currently:

  1. Promoting the formation of a statewide digital inclusion council to establish support for digital inclusion in Washington.
  2. Mapping the community-based technology services that are currently provided in the state.
  3. Researching the state of digital inclusion in Washington.
  4. Training community technology professionals to educate others about their own work, the needs of the community, and opportunities for digital inclusion partnerships in the workforce, education, financial literacy, economic development, and technology sectors.
  5. Helping service providers sustain and expand their technology access, literacy, and content services.
  6. Providing expertise to those who want to learn about or invest in digital inclusion efforts.

CCN's Leading Partners


Find out more on the CCN's Web Site »

Participate on CCN's Interactive Site »

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