Divide-busting ideas online
- By Eric Kulisch
- Feb 11, 2001
Virginia has set up a place to nurture good ideas for connecting people
who don't have access to advanced telecommunication technologies.
The state's Digital Opportunities Task Force recently launched the Virtual
Opportunity Center Web site (www.voc.state.va.us)
as a clearinghouse for best practices resources about narrowing the digital
divide.
Information can be searched alphabetically, by keyword, by number of
participants, by region and by type of organization. Postings include contact
information, project descriptions and cost figures.
Originally designed to assist community groups, schools, faith-based
organizations, businesses and local governments in Virginia, the site also
will include cases from other states.
"We want to encourage people from around the country to look at our
site, and hopefully there is something from our site that can help in their
state," said Janice Akers, an information technology policy specialist with
the state's Electronic Government Implementation Division.
The Virtual Opportunity Center, which displays success stories from
nine Virginia-based groups, includes an online form to submit new content.
To be eligible for inclusion on the site, a group must show that the solution
empowers communities, that it can be replicated and sustained, and that
its results are measurable.