Community
Imagine a community where different local groups with common interests could go to a personalized web page and, with one click, access their preferred information, services, photos, updates, etc., coming from multiple sources to just one page. And everyone in the community had the same free access opportunity. That community is being built…

Project – Gardendale Senior Center
The Corporation has partnered with a group from Gardendale Senior Center who participated in a focus group in June 2007. The majority use Internet, accessing primarily from home and some from work. They use the web for communications and sharing photos with friends, family, and organizations. They also pay bills and shop and sell. They research medical information, history, plants and sewing. Some work from home using Internet. They utilize distance learning.

They would like to use a WiFi portal to make money on the web through a “trading post” for items they produce, or be able to get matched as a volunteer. They also want to get meeting notices, or find dates, and have a centralized location to post messages to military personnel. They would be empowered by good instructions, awareness through education and marketing, and opportunities for feedback. This group is going to work with the Corporation staff to establish a pilot project for the community portal.

Project – Wireless Kiosks and Digital Inclusion
A vision of affordable computers, training and computer literacy, locally relevant content, access, community technology centers

Kiosks provide the opportunity to ensure digital inclusion and to provide services and information through the web to citizens from locations close to their home or business. These locations can include government facilities, grocery stores or shopping malls. City Hall has a wireless kiosk on the first floor of City Hall enabling citizens to pay utility bills, register for basketball leagues, request a birth certificate, make a Latchkey payment, send a comment or question to the Mayor, and much more. Located throughout the City, public libraries have over 100 computer stations providing citizens free Internet access.