NTEN: Change | March 2015 by NTENorg

CHANGE A Quarterly Journal for Nonprofit Leaders · March 2015

Digital inclusion & technical DiviDes:

What’s next? FEATURES: addressing Digital inclusion in every Mission By Amy Sample Ward

Keep austin connected: a vision for Digital inclusion By Sharla Chamberlain and John Speirs

aaRP in the Digital age By Tammy Gordon

the Rise of civic tech for social good By Micah L. Sifry

CHANGE A Quarterly Journal for Nonprofit Leaders

ISSUE SEVENTEEN MARCH 2015

Letter from the Editor

Editor

Joleen Ong Marketing & Publications Director, NTEN

Design

JOLEEN ONG Marketing & Publications Director, NTEN

Philip Krayna Conifer Creative www.conifercreative.com

Editorial Committee Members

Jeanne Allen Manager/Instructor, Duke University Nonprofit Management Program, and Consultant

Melanie Bower Credibility Manager, Green Electronics Council

Tobias Eigen Executive Director, Kabissa—Space for Change in Africa

Sophia Guevara Social Media Fellow, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)

Wiebke Herding Managing Director, On:Subject Communications

Josh Hirsch Director of Development and Marketing, The Weiss School

Nicole Lampe Digital Strategy Director, Resource Media

Bonnie McEwan Assistant Professor and Consultant, Milano-The New School & BonnieMcEwan.com

Rebecca Reyes Communications Manager, Everyday Democracy

Cover Art: Beppe Giacobbe, Morgan Gaynin, Inc.

Advertising: Learn more about sponsoring NTEN:Change at nten.org/ advertising/reserve Permissions & Inquiries: Please give credit to all referenced or re-published content according to the Creative Common license: Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported. Example Attribution text: “First published in NTEN:Change (nten.org/NTENChange), March 2015, CC BY-SA 3.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-sa/3.0/).” More information about the journal can be found at nten.org/NTENChange/Press

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

I can be sure of one thing: this issue is going to surprise you. As you dive into this quarter’s NTEN: Change journal, prepare to have your assumptions challenged on who’s using technology, and the role your organization may play in addressing the digital divide. This issue covers a range of perspectives from organizations and institutions that are at the forefront of bridging the digital divide: schools, libraries, city governments, and nonproﬁt organizations. Features take us across institutions: from AARP, and how it continues to defy stereotypes through its digital engagement eﬀorts of its nearly 38 million members over 50 years old, to the City of Austin’s Digital Inclusion program to keep Austin-ites connected, to Civic Hall, the latest hub in New York to foster discussions on civic tech. Plus, our CEO, Amy Sample Ward, shares how to address digital inclusion in every mission.

Herding from On:Subject shows us how to improve our website’s accessibility in 15 minutes, and Vanessa Mason from ZeroDivide explains how text messaging can be a lifeline for vulnerable communities. A key lesson gleaned from this issue: The future of technology requires an active commitment to inclusiveness. Organizations need to challenge themselves to not just look at the number of people reached, but also the numbers of those they have not.

A key lesson “ gleaned from this issue: The future of technology requires an active commitment to inclusiveness.

”

We also go behind the scenes with the ﬁlmmakers behind the CyberSeniors documentary, the Weiss School, Geek Club Books, and the oldest library west of the Mississippi River: Multnomah County Library in Oregon.

At NTEN, the topic of digital inclusion is at the forefront of our mission. As the largest network for nonproﬁt technology professionals, we are a small (but mighty) voice of change with our continuing commitment to serve and highlight a diversity of perspectives.

Sophia Guevara from EPIP shares her tips on virtual learning to support professional development, Wiebke

We hope this issue inspires you with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to get started in your organization.

16 10

20 INSIDE

BEHIND THE SCENES:

TECH SUPPORT:

PAGE 16 Cyber-Seniors: Capturing

PAGE 24 Virtual Learning for

the Real Senior Moment

Nonprofits

Interview with Saffron Cassaday and Brenda Rusnak, Cyber-Seniors Documentary

By Sophia Guevara, Social Media Fellow, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP)

PAGE 18 Using Technology to Tell the Story of Autism

PAGE 26 15 Minutes to Better

By Tammy Gordon, AARP Studios

Interview with Jodi Murphy, Founder, Geek Club Books

PAGE 12 The Rise of Civic Tech for Social Good

PAGE 20 Technology Leadership

By Wiebke Herding, Managing Director, ON:SUBJECT Communications; Editorial Committee, NTEN: Change Journal

By Micah L. Sifry, Civic Hall

Interview with Susan Amsler-Akacem, Technology Teacher, The Weiss School

FEATURES: PAGE 6 Addressing Digital Inclusion in Every Mission

By Amy Sample Ward, NTEN PAGE 10 AARP in the Digital Age

PAGE 14 Keep Austin Connected:

in the Classrooms

A Vision for Digital Inclusion

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:

By Sharla Chamberlain and John Speirs, City of Austin

PAGE 22 The Libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Role in

Cultivating Digital Literacy

Website Accessibility

PAGE 28 Text2Change: How to

Leverage Text Messaging for Communication By Vanessa Mason, eHealth Senior Manager, ZeroDivide

Interview with Amy Honisett, Public Training Librarian, Multnomah County Library NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

CHANGE A Quarterly Journal for Nonprofit Leaders · March 2015

AT A GLANCE NTEN: CHANGE JOURNAL MARCH 2015

DIGITAL INCLUSION & TECHNICAL DIVIDES:

WHAT’S NEXT?

4Addressing Digital Inclusion in Every Mission By Amy Sample Ward, CEO, NTEN Do you have a high-speed broadband Internet connection in your home? According to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project data, 30% of US adults (aged 18 and older) do not. Looking beyond the US, that number increases to 68% of people globally. In this article, NTEN’s CEO Amy Sample Ward provides more background on digital inclusion: what does it mean, the current eﬀorts that are underway to address this, and how all organizations can address digital inclusion in their missions.

4AARP in the Digital Age

By Tammy Gordon, Vice President, AARP Studios Let’s get a stereotype out of the way. People over 50 are using social media in droves, including half of AARP’s nearly 38 million members. When it comes to communications at AARP, they go where our audience is. AARP The Magazine has the largest circulation in the world. And, now millions are also connecting with the organization on social networks as well.

4The Rise of Civic Tech for Social Good

FEATURES: Addressing Digital Inclusion in Every Mission By Amy Sample Ward

Keep Austin Connected: A Vision for Digital Inclusion By Sharla Chamberlain and John Speirs

AARP in the Digital Age By Tammy Gordon

The Rise of Civic Tech for Social Good By Micah L. Sifry

4Keep Austin Connected: A Vision for Digital Inclusion By Sharla Chamberlain, Digital Inclusion Program Specialist, City of Austin, and John Speirs, Program Coordinator, City of Austin Grant for Technology Opportunities Program As the “Silicon Hills” of the technology industry, Austin, Texas is leading the way in new technology innovations and careers. However, 55,000 adult residents living in the city today are disconnected from this increasingly connected world. The City of Austin’s vision for digital inclusion is that every resident has access to the knowledge and resources needed to engage in our increasingly digital society. By providing funding, resources, and capacity building services for organizations that provide public access and digital literacy training, the City’s Digital Inclusion program helps to keep Austin connected.

By Micah L. Sifry, Executive Director, Civic Hall Since 2004, the Personal Democracy Forum has grown from a gathering of a few hundred e-campaign activists into more than a thousand people focused on using tech not only to change politics, but to reinvent government and enrich civic life. They’ve connected and woven together literally thousands of change makers worldwide, and wondered how best to serve the growing ecosystem 4Cyber-Seniors: Capturing the Real Senior Moment Interview with Saffron Cassaday and Brenda Rusnak, of people, projects, organizations, and networks focused Cyber-Seniors Documentary on using technology for social good. After speaking to “Cyber-Seniors” is a humorous and heartwarming feature hundreds of people including government IT leaders, civic documentary that adds to the important international hackers, entrepreneurs, data mavens, journalists, and conversation about the growing generation gap. In this futurists, here’s what they learned. interview with its ﬁlmmakers, Saﬀron Cassaday and

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

Brenda Rusnak, we learn how the film breaks down stereotypes about seniors and narrates the connections between generations. Focusing on a group of senior citizens who take their first steps into cyber-space under the tutelage of teenage mentors, the film renders a thought-provoking look at a spirited group of men and women who are enriched by digitally re-connecting with their families and each other.

4Using Technology to Tell the Story of Autism

Interview with Jodi Murphy, Founder, Geek Club Books One in 68 children are diagnosed with autism, and the public’s understanding of autism is shrouded in mystery and misperception, leaving the autistic vulnerable to bullying and social isolation. The nonproﬁt organization, Geek Club Books, aims to bring forth positive views of autism, with the goal of autism awareness, education for the public, and empowerment programs for autistic individuals through their own creative self-expression. Learn how Geek Club Books accomplishes their goals through technology and the art of storytelling.

4Technology Leadership in the Classrooms

Interview with Susan Amsler-Akacem, Technology Teacher, The Weiss School How is technology being taught in classrooms today? From 3-D printers to a robotics program, the Weiss School is leading the way for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) learning. In this interview with the School’s technology teacher, Susan Amsler-Akacem, we learn about her approach to teaching, and how her background as a web designer equips her for this important job.

4The Library’s Role in Cultivating Digital Literacy

Interview with Amy Honisett, Public Training Librarian, Multnomah County Library Established in 1864, Multnomah County Library (MCL) is the oldest public library west of the Mississippi River. As libraries are often considered a safe, free place for people to come learn digital skills, MCL is no diﬀerent, oﬀering a range of free technology training classes and support to help bridge the digital divide. In this interview with Amy Honisett, MCL’s Public Training Librarian, we learn more about the library’s approach and strategy to help cultivate digital literacy in this Oregon county community.

4Virtual Learning for Nonproﬁts

By Sophia Guevara, Social Media Fellow, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) Professional development is important to keep one current and marketable in today’s job market. How can you help your colleagues improve their tech know-how? This article oﬀers a few lessons learned that could help

your nonproﬁt develop its virtual professional development.

415 Minutes to Better Website Accessibility By Wiebke Herding, Managing Director, ON:SUBJECT Communications; Editorial Committee, NTEN: Change Journal Though estimates vary, most studies find that about one in five people have some kind of disability. Some of them are in severe need of assistance, for others small adjustments can make a big difference. This way, the Internet has become an essential tool for communication and empowerment for many people with disabilities in the past decade. Making websites more accessible does not have to be difficult, and often has surprising benefits. Take this 3-step accessibility audit to see how accessible your website is, and get tips to improve it.

4Text2Change: How to Leverage Text Messaging

for Communication By Vanessa Mason, eHealth Senior Manager, ZeroDivide Vulnerable communities face more obstacles to accessing information and resources. Text messaging oﬀers an accessible, inexpensive lifeline. ZeroDivide shares tips from their NTC session about success stories, culturally competent communication strategies, troubleshooting for common challenges, resources for design considerations, and lessons about technology adoption.

CHANGE · Decem ber 2014 ofit Leade rs Journ al for Nonpr A Quart erly

CHANGE A Quar terl y

Jour nal for Nonp rofi t

Lead ers · June 2014

BEST OF 2014

CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP FEATURING: : Executive Tech Forward Leadership Age Staffing for the Digital By Miriam Barnard Security Navigating the Mobile Ecosystem tal Interview with Jeff Forris Heightened How to Prepare for the a Scrutiny of Social Medi an Prepared by Bonnie McEw

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BEHIND THE SCEN

n · The Denver Foundatio rs · Emerging Practitione ) FUNDRAISING IN in Philanthropy (EPIP THE DIGITAL AGE · InterAction · International Livin HOg W NONPROFITS ARE GETTIN Future Institute

REINVENTING THE ASK:

PLUS:

DONORS TO CHOOSE

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PDF PLU · Rethinking the S: Board The eMissi ng Middle: Neglecting · 6 Tips for Onlin Engagementis Costing Nonprofits Millions byMiddle Donors Alia McKee Crowdfunding: Tomo Today by Miriam Kaganrrow’s Fundraising Models and David J. Neff Changing the Conve rsation About Overh by Rick Cohen ead Bitcoin: A Fundraising Digital Disruptor by Jason Shim

INTERVIEWS:

· SURFRIDER FOUND ATION · URBAN MINISTRIES OF DURHAM · KIVA · GLOBALGIVING · FUNDSFORNGOS · FOOD & WATER WATCH

IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE! READ PAST ISSUES OF THE NTEN: CHANGE JOURNAL & SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE TO GET THIS IN YOUR INBOX: NTEN.ORG/NTENCHANGE.

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aDDRessing Digital inclusion in eveRy Mission BY aMy saMPle WaRD, CEO, NTEN

o you have a high-speed broadband Internet connection in your home? According to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project data, 30% of US adults (aged 18 and older) do not. Looking beyond the US, that number increases to 68% of people globally. For those of us that do have Internet in our homes, we are able to communicate with others regardless of location, connect to services and information, and even create opportunities for growth and improvement in ways that those without Internet simply cannot. We can just as easily send a message to our elected officials as we can to our colleagues or even our child’s teacher. We can look for a doctor or research a health issue. We can learn about breaking news or complete a college degree. In 2011, a report to the United Nations General Assembly by UN Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue states that “the Internet has become a key means by which individuals can exercise their right to freedom and expression.” There are a number of definitions in use when it comes to Internet access and adoption. At NTEN, we consider the “digital divide” defined similarly to Pew, as adults that do not have broadband access at home. It is important to understand the difference between focusing on

access to the Internet at all, versus access at home. Recognizing that the city has a public library with a computer that is available for Internet access is important to the larger ecosystem of community services. It does not, though, help us measure (or, to go further, ensure) that all members of our community or city have the same opportunities to participate in civic life, make social connections, and be an advocate for their own health and wellbeing

“UNLESS EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER WE SERVE IS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, WE ARE NOT TRULY BUILDING CAPACITY FOR CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MAKE LASTING CHANGE IN THE WORLD.”

through access to the Internet. Library or other community center access points are critical to serving the community. They are not equal to home Internet access because they are, by their nature, limited to the open hours of the facility, the number of individuals trying to share limited computers, and the available support to keep both the machines and the users connected. “Digital inclusion,” then, can be deﬁned as eﬀorts to address the divide – from resources to education, and individual interventions to government-led initiatives. As La Rue noted in the UN report, “the Internet has become an indispensable tool for realizing a range of human rights, combating inequality, and accelerating development and human progress, [so] ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states.”

efforts to address the Divide The digital divide is not new; neither is the existence of organizations working to address it locally and globally. The programs and initiatives for digital inclusion work have naturally evolved over the last two decades as both the communities and as the digital tools themselves change, as have the resources available and partners interested in being part of this work. There are three core focus areas for digital inclusion traditionally, including, Awareness and interest: knowledge and understanding of the value of the Internet and the services and access it provides.

Aﬀordable devices: access to acquire or purchase devices that

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

are within the budget of every community member. Digital literacy: skills and knowledge of how to use a device and navigate the Internet. Organizations and programs working on digital inclusion are as diverse as any other sector area. There are myriad ways to create solutions and address the digital divide as it impacts the community you serve, for example: Organizations providing literacy training and services have expanded programs to help learners use digital literacy tools that provide education on the tools at the same time as they increase their written literacy; workforce development organizations include digital trainings that help job seekers learn to use digital tools for resume writing and job searching; immigrant and social service organizations include digital literacy trainings as a means to connect individuals with the services they need and can apply for online; and advocacy organizations provide information about the ways the Internet can be used to advocate for changes and access beneﬁcial services during site visits and group trainings.

Digital inclusion in all Missions NTEN and Mobile Citizen launched a research survey February 2015 to create benchmarks and a better understanding of nonproﬁt organizations’ knowledge of community access and needs. (The survey is open through April 15th if you want to participate!) Preliminary data shows a few important indicators of need: • The majority of respondents indicate their constituents need Internet access to beneﬁt from or participate in their programs and services.

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

“WHEN EVERY ORGANIZATION ACCEPTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, MEETING AND SERVING INDIVIDUALS THROUGH OUR RESPECTIVE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, WE CAN DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED, TRAINED, AND ONLINE.”

successfully make lasting change in the world. What does that mean for an organization that does not have digital literacy, refurbished devices, or Internet awareness called out directly in its mission statement or strategic plan? It does not mean you need to change your mission. Instead, this is an opportunity to evaluate the needs and challenges faced by your community members and use those ﬁndings to inform the most successful ways you can serve them through your mission. There are common challenges for organizations venturing into newer work or adapting programs in progress – from the fear that these are not areas of specialty for the organization and thus not areas that need investment to the staﬀ training and capacity for successful implementation. And we want to help.

• Decisions about online services are driven more by organizational leadership than direct community feedback. • More than 40% of respondents do not track adoption rate of online programs and services. • Well over one third of respondents indicated they did not know if their community members had barriers to access (including lack of Internet connection, devices, or literacy and training). At NTEN, we believe digital inclusion should be a component of how every organization meets its mission, regardless of location, budget, or staﬀ size. Unless every community member we serve is able to participate in and beneﬁt from all that is available online, we are not truly building capacity for change in our community and will not be able to

Digital inclusion at nten This is an exciting time to be part of the nonprofit technology sector. As organizations advocate for a free and open Web through Net Neutrality regulation, we have enormous potential ahead of us. When every organization accepts the opportunity to be part of the solution to the digital divide, meeting and serving individuals through our respective services and programs, we can dramatically increase the numbers of individuals engaged, trained, and online. NTEN is invested in helping every nonprofit be a digital inclusion partner. NTEN has a number of new and expanded educational resources focused on digital inclusion efforts, recognizing that for many organizations the hurdle to addressing the digital divide is first

and foremost in knowing how to expand or add interventions where they can have the most impact within existing eďŹ&#x20AC;orts. The initial benchmarks, as mentioned previously, will come from the NTEN and Mobile Citizen digital adoption report this spring, helping identify the priority topic areas from the sector for additional training or resources. To support nonproďŹ ts of all mission areas and sizes incorporate digital literacy, Internet awareness, and access to devices or services into their work, NTEN will also provide a number of new educational programs and resources, including: â&#x20AC;˘ Webinars on digital inclusion programs and how to expand existing community outreach work to include digital literacy or Internet adoption awareness â&#x20AC;˘ Training materials and compilations of digital literacy curriculum materials

â&#x20AC;˘ Access to leaders, experts, and peers advancing digital inclusion eďŹ&#x20AC;orts across the US and beyond â&#x20AC;˘ Program resources including workbooks and templates to help you and your staďŹ&#x20AC; develop strategic interventions that serve your communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs â&#x20AC;˘ Sessions and workshops at NTEN conferences including the NonproďŹ t Technology Conference and the Leading Change Summit â&#x20AC;˘ An ongoing series of interviews and case studies from organizations at all stages of adopting and adapting digital inclusion eďŹ&#x20AC;orts We are inspired by the work of many NTEN Member organizations that have already taken on the work of digital literacy training and Internet adoption campaigns. Highlighting their voices and successes, along with new leaders in this area of work, will be central to telling the story of change.

Creating solutions to challenges that touch every city and impact every community requires the participation and collaboration of organizations from all sectors. Fully addressing the digital divide will take partnership between nonproďŹ ts, governments, and companies. And we hope youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll join us. If you have ideas, feedback, suggestions, or speciďŹ c needs, we would love to hear from you: you can email me, or call any time (415-3979000). I look forward to working with you to bring all community members online to be part of changing our world. AMy SAMPLE WARD is the CEO of NTEN: The NonproďŹ t Technology Network. She is also a blogger, facilitator, and trainer having worked with groups and spoken at events in the US, UK, and around the world. In 2013, she co-authored Social Change Anytime Everywhere: How to implement online multichannel strategies to spark advocacy, raise money, and engage your community with Allyson Kapin.

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NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

PHOTO BY SANDY HUFFAKE R/AP IMAGES FOR AARP

aaRP in the Digital age BY taMMy goRDon, VICE PRESIDENT, AARP STUDIOS

hen it comes to communications at AARP, we go where our audience is. AARP The Magazine has the largest circulation in the world. And, now millions are also connecting with the organization on social networks as well. Let’s get a stereotype out of the way. People over 50 are using social media in droves, including half of AARP’s nearly 38 million members. They join as a way to keep up with friends and family (much like all age groups.) A third of grandparents and grandchildren surveyed actually found that going online to connect helps them better understand each other. And, while connecting with grandkids has certainly been the

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

entry point for the older AARP generation to sign up, our younger members are digital natives. According to an AARP study, nearly 60% of our members between the ages of 50-59 have a smartphone and a whopping 76% of those who do are checking their social media on it. And those numbers trend even higher as Generation X (Gen X) becomes AARP-eligible starting this year. So, we take a fairly entrepreneurial look at social communities. If we see data showing people over age forty are using a speciﬁc platform, we start testing and learning. That means we have a presence in places like LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and Vine. However, we invest the majority of

our time and energy into the places where our audiences are the largest. Right now, that means the big three: Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. AARP has invested in connecting with our members and the 50 plus on social media at the local level, with all of our state oﬃces on Facebook. Leaders and communicators at our organization are trained on social strategy and etiquette. Jo Ann Jenkins is AARP’s ﬁrst-ever tweeting CEO (@JoAnn_ Jenkins). All together, our social audience is more than two million and drives more than a billion engagements a year across all platforms. As our presence has evolved, one of the biggest surprises has been that the second largest age demographic following our accounts are Gen X-ers. Whether it’s tips on caregiving for a parent, sharing the latest viral video, or celebrating Dr. Dre’s 50th birthday, we believe our social content and voice is connecting new generations

to our organization. In addition to our organic strategy, we use sophisticated, targeted social marketing tools to ensure the right message meets the right audience at the right time. We are all about winning the moment, whether that means going hyper local to engage volunteers in an event via Twitter or connecting our exclusive Bob Dylan interview with his fans on Facebook. In a move focused on the future, we recently aligned our social media and broadcast TV and radio operations into one team called AARP Studios. By teaming up multimedia producers and social strategists to develop more sharable content, we’ve already seen a huge lift in reach and engagement. AARP Studios also now has in-house social marketing, analytics, and sponsorship development. Each organizational goal has an AARP Studios strategist who is developing real time and long term social messaging and content, distribution, marketing, and analytics to ensure we’re moving beyond the “like” and really delivering actions and engagements that matter. IMAGES BELoW: Screenshots from AARP’s Facebook page that feature celebrities over age 50 that their audience connects with: Bob Dylan & Julianne Moore.

By thinking ahead and developing communications plans and editorial calendars, we are able to design content proactively, but also capitalize on whatever is driving the conversation among our audience in real time. For example, during the Oscars, AARP Studios developed advance graphics and content celebrating nominees and winners over age 50. At the same time, we live tweeted the red carpet and awards shows, interacting with our audience and influencers. Moments people connected with included JK Simmons’ first win at the age of 60 and Julianne Moore’s first win at 54. Our marketing advisor worked with our team in real time to boost the reach of trending posts. This resulted in a 450% lift in social engagement over the previous year. We let our audience lead the way. They tell us where they are interacting and what they like to share each and every day on social. We see it as our job to amplify what is working and create experiences just for them. Even though most of our members are online, we are committed to raising our level of digital literacy. We have a full time social media trainer on our team to teach AARP staff, volunteers, and members how to stay

savvy, smart, and safe when it comes to social networks. AARP Foundation launched Mentor Up, which pairs high school and college age kids with seniors to teach them technology and how to stay connected. Last year, we launched AARP RealPad, a tablet designed for 50+ users and AARP TEK designed to deliver hands-on technology training. Most importantly, AARP’s leadership has allowed us to experiment, lean into younger audiences, take chances, and yes, sometimes fail. The ability to operate as a flexible start-up within a large organization gives us the nimbleness to change as fast as our industry changes. At the same time, social has become a huge part of editorial, events, marketing, CRM, customer service, and more. So, we are becoming more integrated across the Association and more accountable along the way. TAMMy GoRDoN is the Vice President of AARP Studios, which manages social content creation, distribution, marketing, and analytics for the 50+ audience. Since founding AARP’s first social media department in 2010, she has trained hundreds of AARP staff and volunteers, and has grown the organization’s social audience to more than two million followers. Follow along the team’s adventures via #AARP’Studios on Twitter.

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

SNAPSHOT FROM CIVIC HALL IN NEW YORK. CREDIT: MICAH L. SIFRY.

the Rise of civic tech foR social gooD BY Micah l. sifRy, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CIVIC HALL

wo years ago, I visited Auschwitz, accompanied by my business partner Andrew Rasiej. We had just finished producing the first Central Europe incarnation of Personal Democracy Forum (PDF), our long-running conference on the intersection of technology and politics that we founded in 2004 in New York. Walking through the death camp was an intense and sobering experience for both of us: I’m Jewish, and many of my relatives were killed or suffered greatly during the Holocaust. Andrew’s parents, who are Polish, were exiled during the war and his grandfather was a casualty in the Katyn forest massacre. 12

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

Later, our conversation in the long taxi ride back to our hotel turned, perhaps inevitably, to our common enterprise and its future. In the previous ten years, we had watched as the Internet grew from something that many people derisively thought of as a “fad” to a huge new force reshaping everyone’s lives. PDF, which started as a one-day event mainly gathering a few hundred ecampaign activists, had blossomed into an annual two-day festival of more than a thousand people focused on using tech not only to change politics, but to reinvent government and enrich civic life. We’d connected and woven together literally

thousands of changemakers worldwide. We wondered: now what? How best to serve the growing ecosystem of people, projects, organizations, and networks focused on using technology for social good? We decided that the only way to answer that question was to ask that very community to tell us what it needed. Thus we dove into figuring out the emerging world of civic tech, talking to hundreds of people including government IT leaders, civic hackers, entrepreneurs, data mavens, journalists, and futurists. Here’s what we learned. Civic tech is at a ripe moment, where interest from different sectors of society and government is rising, but its impact on the lives of ordinary people remains nascent. Four trends are converging to power the field. First, the spread of connection technologies into more hands is giving the people who have always

been engaged by solving the problems of their communities tremendous new capacities to “do-itourselves.” Old-fashioned community organizers and new-style civic hackers alike are exploring all kinds of new ways to get important stuff done. Second, governments at all levels, but especially the city level, are discovering that it makes sense to open up their warehouses of public information and enable outsiders to co-create new solutions building on those resources. Third, economic necessity is the mother of invention – and there’s a great deal of potential value to be unlocked and wasted resources to be saved in tech- and data-driven approaches to public problems. And last but not least, there’s significant interest from academia, philanthropy, journalism, and the corporate sector in exploring, and in some cases, funding techpowered civic innovation. All of that explains why civic tech is suddenly on a lot of people’s minds. The reality, of course, is that many civic-oriented problem-solvers have been using innovative technology as part of their work for years. But the pace of experimentation and implementation now seems much faster. A closer look, however, shows that there are some critical gaps that need to be filled before civic tech can really claim to be solving important problems at scale. The first, we discovered as we talked to many participants in this movement, is that there is a mismatch between community needs and technological talent, and between the two main ways this field is using to match them up. Put another way, there is an oversupply of eager developers and designers who want to do something more meaningful with their skills than get more people to click on banner ads, and an undersupply of meaningful entry points into serving public needs rather than the marketplace.

One way this problem keeps surfacing is with the hackathon model of community engagement. All too often, a weekend marathon of hacking yields little beyond a prize for a few developers, a bragging press release by the sponsoring institution, and a fleeting sense of community that is quickly forgotten when everyone goes back to their day jobs. And frequently, coders develop apps without any grounded sense or input from communities who need their help the most. As a result, winning apps at hackathons rarely ever grow to a scale of usage that reaches ordinary users. The second and related problem is that incubators and accelerators only work for people who have already quit their day jobs and decided to plunge into building start-ups. That can be great for a team in need of coaching, product refinement, and access to capital, but this model of civic tech development leaves out people who can’t or don’t want to leave their current jobs. Somehow, people told us, there needs to be a way for people interested in innovative approaches to civic challenges to work and network together that is more lasting than a hackathon but not as structured as an incubator. And for the field to gain coherence, they added, there needs to be better curation of our common knowledge of what works, along with what approaches have failed in the past. Our solution, which is itself a form of civic tech, is to create Civic Hall, a year-round community space for ongoing interchange and collaboration among civic-minded techies, social entrepreneurs, activists, government officials, and community organizers. In creating that space in New York City, we believe that we’re filling a local gap as well—many of the people coming to join Civic Hall tell us that they need a common place to interact with their

“CIVIC TECH IS AT A RIPE MOMENT, WHERE INTEREST FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF SOCIETY AND GOVERNMENT IS RISING...” like-minded peers, which more generally-themed co-working spaces don’t offer. And with telecommuting a common practice for many in the civic tech field, escaping the isolation of their own home workspaces is also an attraction. There’s a rich array of similar civic tech hubs popping up in many places, including the Smart City Collaborative and CivicLab in Chicago; OpenGovHub and 1776 in Washington, DC; District Hall in Boston; the Center for Civic Innovation in Atlanta; and the network of Impact Hubs that started in the Bay Area. Code for America’s local volunteer network of Brigades is providing lots of energy to these efforts, along with similar groups like the Civicmakers meetup in San Francisco and the CivicHacks group in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a messy, scary world out there. As our trip to Auschwitz reminded us, it’s a world where humanity’s worst impulses can combine with powerful technology to produce consequences that are difficult to even comprehend. But the growing field of civic tech offers hope that we can also harness technology’s potential to connect communities and empower them to better solve their own problems. MICAH L. SIFRy, the executive director of Civic Hall, is also co-founder and editorial director of its parent organization Personal Democracy Media, which hosts of the annual Personal Democracy Forum conference and publishes the daily techPresident.com news-site.

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AUSTIN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TECH REACH PROGRAM IS A RECIPIENT OF THE CITY'S GRANT FOR TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM.

KeeP austin connecteD: a vision foR Digital inclusion BY shaRla chaMbeRlain, DIGITAL INCLUSION PROGRAM SPECIALIST, CITY OF AUSTIN, AND John sPeiRs, PROGRAM COORDINATOR, CITY OF AUSTIN GRANT FOR TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM

s the “Silicon Hills” of the technology industry, Austin, Texas is leading the way in new technology innovations and careers. Austin residents demonstrate every day what amazing and creative possibilities can come from creating and using digital and communications technology. But 55,000 adult residents living in our city today are disconnected from this increasingly connected world. The City of Austin’s vision is for every resident to have access to the knowledge and resources needed to participate in our emerging digital society. We need aﬀordable and available devices for all residents. And, it is critical that all Austinites 14

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understand technology and its relevancy to their daily lives, whether for helping with their kids’ homework, looking for jobs, getting access to health information, or accessing online government information. Austin is fortunate to have a robust system of nonproﬁt organizations committed to digital inclusion, and that national organizations like NTEN provide a national platform for learning about challenges and best practices in using technology for social good. Austin also beneﬁts from a competitive broadband market represented by four Internet providers: AT&T, Google Fiber, Grande Communications, and

Time Warner Cable. Internet access and usage in Austin outpaces the national average. But as technology continues to become more ubiquitous in the workforce, government services, and interpersonal communication, the digitally excluded are falling further and further behind. Residential technology usage research conducted by the City of Austin in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin’s Technology and Information Policy Institute shows that approximately 8% (or 55,000 adult residents) do not have a home broadband connection, and roughly the same amount does not use the Internet at all. Of those 55,000 Austin residents not currently using the Internet, two-thirds are working age (18-65) and 84% have a high school education or less. Many of these residents lack the necessary resources to secure stable employment and maintain a comfortable standard of living. According to our research, cost was the top reason for not using the Internet, with two-thirds of non-users

reporting that they cannot afford this technology. Relevancy is another major barrier to digital inclusion, with two in five of resident non-users stating that they were “simply not interested in the technology.” This means that tens of thousands of Austinites are not realizing the benefits digital technology can provide like online banking, electronic health portals, and even social media. The City of Austin has a long history of supporting front-line programs that help residents overcome these barriers to digital inclusion. The City’s Grant for Technology opportunities Program (GToPs) was launched in 2001 and since then has provided and been a match to more than $6.5 million dollars in support to digital inclusion programs throughout the community. From one-on-one trainings on building a resume, to new cognitive software for disabled individuals, to STEM camps for youth, the programs funded by GTOPs are paving the way for a more skilled and equitable society. GTOPs allows the City to build vital relationships with some of Austin’s most dedicated and successful service organizations. Austin Free-Net provides free computer centers throughout the city and teaches basic computer skills like filling out online job applications. Skillpoint Alliance is a workforce development organization that offers in-depth computer training courses that empower residents to compete in today’s modern job market. Texas Folklife’s Stories from Deep in the Heart program helps youth use technology to tell their stories through radio documentaries that are broadcasted on public radio. These and other nonprofit organizations are the boots on the ground, sharing knowledge and providing tools for digital inclusion. It is the City’s goal to help these organizations achieve their missions through financial and

“TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES, CAPABILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS ARE EVOLVING DAILY, AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR STRATEGIC DIRECTION TO KEEP UP WITH CHANGING COMMUNITY NEEDS.” strategic support. Technological devices, capabilities, and expectations are evolving daily, and the City of Austin recognized the need for strategic direction to keep up with changing community needs. In March of 2014, Austin City Council adopted a resolution that called for the development of a Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan that would act as a roadmap to address access and adoption of digital technology. This plan was developed over six months based on strategic insights from leaders in the nonprofit, K-12 and higher education, public health, business and entrepreneurial, public service, and other key sectors. These leaders spoke to their sectors’ challenges, assets, and opportunities regarding technology and digital inclusion. And most importantly, they established priorities for taking action. The foundation of the 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy is an evolving set of Taking Action: Initiatives centered on objectives to help overcome identified challenges. Twenty-five action items, their primary audiences, and accountability metrics are outlined across five action categories: Connect, Engage, Include, Integrate, and Coordinate. The City is now working with its digital inclusion

partner organizations and individuals across all sectors to execute these Initiatives. Taking Action: Initiatives represents the top priorities from ongoing brainstorming and strategy sessions, but it is by no means complete. The 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy remains a dynamic document, always open to new ideas for civic and social innovation. It will be updated annually to reflect progress made and new opportunities related to digital inclusion. It is our connection to technology, creativity, and collaboration that will allow Austin to thrive in this constantly changing world, leaving no one behind. Austin has the resources, knowledge, and expertise to address the challenges we face in bridging the digital divide. The real challenge is that we must connect what’s available to what’s needed, and determine how government, the private sector, and nonprofits can work together to ensure all residents are able to participate in our digital world. Austin looks forward to continuing to participate in, and learn from, local and national discussions about how we can connect communities across the United States. SHARLA CHAMBERLAIN is a Digital Inclusion Program Specialist for the City of Austin. She holds a B.S. in Public Relations from The University of Texas and is currently working toward a Master’s degree from The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. Sharla is driven to create tangible, positive change through her work. She uses data analysis and strategic planning to achieve Austin’s vision of giving every resident access to the knowledge and resources needed to be fully engaged in our digital society. joHN SPEIRS is a Program Coordinator for the City of Austin Grant for Technology opportunities Program (GToPs). Under the direction of the City of Austin- Telecom & Regulatory Affairs Officer, Rondella Hawkins, he coordinates the City’s digital inclusion programs (Community Technology Initiative) and related strategic partnerships. A native of California, John has a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Planning from Northern Arizona University. He is currently completing his Masters in Public Administration from Texas State University- San Marcos.

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

cybeR- Q: senioRs: caPtuRing the Real senioR MoMent INTERVIEW WITH saffRon cassaDay AND bRenDa RusnaK, THE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS BEHIND THE “CYBER-SENIORS” FILM THAT’S BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES ABOUT SENIORS, AND NARRATES THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN GENERATIONS.

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Congratulations on the film! As Cyber-Seniors is now on a nation-wide tour, can you share some of the feedback that you’ve received from viewers? Thanks! The most common feedback we get is how relatable the film is for all ages. People are reminded of experiences with their older family member interacting with technology. Others relate to the tech challenges in their own lives and laugh along with the frustrating, but funny, learning moments. We also hear how it has inspired people to get involved, which encouraged us to create the Cyber-Seniors: Connecting Generations campaign. From young people wanting to volunteer and start a Cyber-Seniors program in their community, to older people wanting to find tech lessons – we are always so excited to hear when the film has sparked an interest to help bridge the digital divide.

Do you think that this film helps to defy stereotypes of seniors? Definitely. Outside of family, young people and older adults don’t have a lot of opportunities to interact and spend time together. Because of that, I think the teen mentors started the program thinking the participants would be afraid of change and scared of new technology. We quickly learned, and you see in the film, that the seniors do not fit into any typical molds society has created – they are active, curious, and living very fulfilling lives. I think the film also breaks down stereotypes of teens as well. The teen mentors are patient, kind, and the type of people who really care about making a difference in their communities. I think that is representative of a lot of young people.

After shooting this film, what are some key takeaways or surprises that you’ve learned?

In general, we found that older adults who were in the habit of learning new skills were the most successful, regardless of age. It’s important to make life-long learning a priority to keep one’s mind sharp and be confident that you’re never too old to try something new! In terms of specific struggles when learning to use the Internet, the physical factors of aging can make things more difficult, such as memory loss and poor eyesight. There are workarounds, such as having a mentor who helps by writing everything down and making your computer’s font sizes and icons larger. Also, certain devices and websites were easier to navigate than others. We found that tablets were the most straightforward for seniors to use, and busy webpages with pop-up ads could be overwhelming and confusing.

What advice would you give to nonprofit organizations working with senior populations on digital divide-related work? It’s not enough to just provide training and resources, we need to inspire older adults to see how technology can benefit them and show tech savvy youth that they have the power to make a difference. Screening events offer an innovative approach to connect with people, solicit support, and identify resources from local government, businesses, and community leaders. We also feel getting young people involved in this kind of work is very important - this is a fun and social way for them to help out in their communities. Teens today grew up using the Internet, and I think they feel a real sense of pride in being able to share their

expertise. The generation gap today is larger than ever before. It used to be more common to see three-generations living under the same roof, now it’s common to live on the other side of the world from our parents and grandparents. So it is important to first of all, give older adults the tools they need to stay connected to family and friends, but also give the young and old an opportunity to come together and bridge that gap.

What technology tools do you rely on to communicate and share information with your team? Our team uses Dropbox as an easy way to organize and share files. It’s great being able to instantly see when files have been added or updated, and have immediate access to them. We also utilize social media – Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube – to share information and interact with supporters and partners, including a regular segment called “Ask Annette” featuring one of my favorite Cyber-Seniors! Our CyberSeniors Corner YouTube channel includes fantastic senior-created content and tech-tutorials.

Aside from viewing the film, how can people get involved? We hope the film is the catalyst that inspires people to get involved and help bridge the technology gap, but know we can’t do it alone. Our website includes lots of resources that make it easy to teach an older adult or start a Cyber-Seniors program, including downloadable handbooks that give both teacher and student step-by-step tips and lesson guides. We are engaging partners to hold screening events and promote Cyber-Seniors programs in their

communities. Those interested in becoming a Cyber-Seniors Partner by holding a screening or starting a program in their community, can sign up through the partner registry on our website. We also encourage organizations and individuals to let us know about their program and involvement. So far almost 200 signed up on our website, (retirement residences, community centers, libraries, etc. who are committed to running CyberSeniors programs), and almost 500 young mentors pledge on our website to help teach seniors tech skills. Our hope is that people will be able to go to our website, type in their city name or zip code, and be able to see a list of all the available programs in their area. We also have DVD packages for sale on our website, including a 3disc set that contains an educational discussion guide summing up 7 important themes from the film such as life-longlearning, ageism, bridging the generation gap, and more! This package also includes a public performance license so groups can host screenings in their communities and inspire and encourage people to get involved. SAFFRoN CASSADAy is the Director/Editor of Cyber-Seniors. Born and raised in Toronto, Saffron Cassaday traveled to New York City immediately after completing high school to study acting at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Her next film project aims to document the journey of men and women who were incarcerated before the Internet existed, as they return to a techdependent society. BRENDA RUSNAK is founder and president of Best Part Productions, and the producer of Cyber-Seniors. She is an entrepreneur with 35 years of business experience. She is the founder and president of Best Part Productions Inc., which seeks out innovative, creative film projects to invest in and produce. CHECK OUT THE CYBER-SENIORS DOCUMENTARY: CYBERSENIORSDOCUMENTARY.COM/

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

BEHIND THE SCENES: GEEK CLUB BOOKS

technology and the art of storytelling.

Using Technology to Tell the Story of Autism Q:

How does technology play a role in your daily

Interview with Jodi Murphy, Founder of Geek Club Books, on how the organization uses technology and the art of storytelling to raise awareness about autism.

What inspired you to create this initiative? One in 68 children are diagnosed with autism, and the public’s understanding of autism is shrouded in mystery and misperception, leaving the autistic vulnerable to bullying and social isolation. 70% of autistic children report being bullied in schools. If we do not change this, these children will grow up to become even more isolated and financially dependent as adults. Today, 85% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed. To me, these aren’t just statistics

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but real individuals with families who just want their children to have the same opportunities to live meaningful, productive lives. I founded Geek Club Books, a 501c3 nonprofit, to bring forth positive views of autism focusing on ‘abilities’ rather than disabilities and highlighting similarities over ‘differences’ for better understanding and connection. At our core, our mission is autism awareness, education for the public, and empowerment programs for autistic individuals through their own creative selfexpression. We accomplish this through

work? We use technology to be compelling and relevant, and to draw the attention of the general public. We want to capture the hearts and minds of those outside the autism community and move them past ‘awareness’ into a deeper understanding and human connection to those on the autism spectrum. When we can create a compassionate environment, we can affect change. For example, we use app technology to create interactive children’s stories and curriculum that entertains while educating about autism. We’re also building a digital publishing platform for autistic writers. Again, their stories connect us in ways we can all relate to on a human level—the struggles, the

4) SumoMe List Builder – Building an engaged community mailing list is critical for a nonprofit. SumoMe is a free and easy way to add sign up forms that will integrate with your email service provider. 5) LeadPages™ – LeadPages is a mobile responsive landing page generator with templates you can customize. It’s helped us increase our conversion rates significantly.

triumphs, the joys, and the dreams.

What are some of the key tools that Geek Club Books uses to communicate with its audience? There are so many! Let me share my top five: 1) Blackfish Children’s Books – Our apps are developed on this proprietary platform that allows simultaneous development for iOS devices, Kindle Fire, Android, PC, and Mac. 2) Post Planner for Facebook – Our target audience is primarily on Facebook. Post Planner helps us find great content to share in addition to our own. 3) Yoast for SEO – We publish original content on our website twice a week but no one will see it if we don’t optimize our site for the search engines. Yoast has an SEO WordPress plugin that’s free and it makes sure you’ve added searchable keywords in all your pages and posts.

Can you tell us more about your app? How was that received? Our first autism story app, The Mighty League, Vol. 1: The Terrible Taunting, was released in September 2013. It was in the top 25 downloads of all apps in iTunes on World Autism Day. It was selected by Toys”R”Us to be one of the featured apps in their Tabeo Tablet, and we received a Temple Grandin Award for its positive contribution to the autism community.

For nonprofits that are starting to do more storytelling, can you share some lessons learned? In today’s environment, it’s more important than ever to let your audience get to know your nonprofit on a personal level. Did you know that over 27,000 nonprofits in over 68 countries participated in #GivingTuesday on December 2, 2014? I personally received over a dozen emails from charities my husband and I have supported over the years asking for a donation on that day. It’s indicative of just how many of us are out there with worthy causes. Whom do you choose? You pick those in which you feel a strong emotional connection. So tell the stories about the board members, the staff, and the people you serve.

Let people see ‘behind the curtain’ of your organization, your struggles, and successes…and they’ll care enough to contribute.

Looking ahead, what does success and impact look like for your organization? We are a very new nonprofit and 2015 will be a year of growth and expansion. We are working on the second app in the Mighty League Series: Mighty League, Vol. 2: The Horrible Hug, funded through an Indiegogo campaign. Three autistic adults are contributing their talents to make it happen, and they are getting paid for it! We are working with curriculum partners to make our Common Core curriculum to accompany the apps more robust and, hopefully, launching a pilot program in elementary schools in the fall. Success for us is defined by producing stories through technology to change views about autism and putting autistic individuals to work to help us achieve that goal. And we’ll do it one story at a time…one autistic individual at a time.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share? We believe in the power of collaboration and mutual support. If there are any nonprofits whose membership can benefit from our apps, please reach out. We are always interested in ways we can cross-promote our campaigns. We can be reached through our website at (geekclubbooks.com). Jodi Murphy is the founder of Geek Club Books (geekclubbooks.com), a 501c3 autism charity affecting change through storytelling and technology. She is also co-founder of Zoom Autism Magazine, an uplifting and informative digital lifestyle magazine for the autism community.

NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE WEISS SCHOOL

STUDENTS AT THE WEISS SCHOOL WORK TOGETHER TO ASSEMBLE A ROBOT.

Technology Leadership in the Classrooms From 3-D printers to a robotics program, the Weiss School is leading the way for STEAM learning. In this interview with the Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology teacher, Susan Amsler-Akacem, we learn about her approach to teaching, and how her background as a web designer equips her for this important job.

How does your previous experience as a web designer play into your current work as a STEAM educator? Being a web designer prior to teaching has certainly allowed me to bring in a real world application of the use of technology into the classroom. Not only the knowledge of how web design and graphical marketing pieces are used for companies and the culture of our

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world, but also coding and programming which have become so popular in the computer sciences classes where students learn these days. I am very comfortable with teaching these aspects and it is easy for me to learn new ones that come out.

What might be some similarities and differences in teaching adults technology versus children?

Students have a wonderful thing called time on their hands and the computer/technology gives them an infinite amount of patience. Those two things combined creates an environment for great success and learning. With adults, it is a little different because they have not grown up with all the technology students have and they are a bit timid to get to work on something new. Lives are busy and to learn a new thing that is completely foreign can be intimidating. So, teaching kids and adults each take patience but the patience is used in very different realms.

How does STEAM learning provide a more integrated approach to using technology? The STEAM teaching style breaks down all the barriers between Language Arts, Math, Science, and

Art, and puts them together into a cohesive unit for the student to learn on all levels. If you break down the different topics you can see the overlay of all the subjects and how they can come together as one cohesive project or lesson. Math and science are two very obvious overlays because of how data collected in science, geometry, and physics relate so well together. But now, education is really looking into the engineering side of learning and combining it with the arts. Creating sets, instruments, and incorporating literature in the form of theater, can all relate together and generate some genuine learning for the students today.

already had, students created projects in technology that proved they were ready and able to jump to the next level. We were able to pique the interest in a few donors with these projects, and had an open door policy that allowed them to come in and take a look at what their students were already doing.

What tools are your students currently using as part of your curriculum? Through generous donations, we were able to get a 3D printer for the technology lab that has incorporated the science, history, math, and even the language arts subject areas. With this added technology, the students have been able to produce Greek temples, elements of the periodic table, characters that were developed into a writing story, and even geometric shapes that were sized to measurement. We were also able to get a robust robotics program that we can now incorporate with measuring for the younger students and programming languages that go beyond graphical programming skills.

From computers to curriculum, you played a key role in securing the grant funding for the Weiss School’s robust STEAM learning program. What advice would you give to nonprofits that are working to do the same? As an independent school, we are constantly fundraising and looking for the additional funds to cover 15% of the school’s expenses that lack from the tuition that is given. What is something So reaching out to donors and interesting that you parents alike help notice in the get that covered children you and possibly even teach? more. The Weiss This younger School students generation of have had a great students are willingness to learn working extremely WHAT about technology hard to break the DOES “STEAM” in today’s world. In mold, not do what MEAN? efforts to support everyone else is STEAM is an educational their desire, we approach to learning that doing, but to create had to show the uses Science, Technology, something genuine donors some Engineering, the Arts, and of their own. results. Given the Mathematics. Students have the technology we chance to explore

“This younger generation of students are working extremely hard to break the mold, not do what everyone else is doing, but to create something genuine of their own.” and invent their own idea. Once their idea is there, they are ready to share it with the world in a way that everyone can use it, not necessarily show it off, but to allow others to use their code on a game or create a 3D printed piece that can help someone in need.

Looking ahead, what is the impact of STEAM learning on children, and how do you think it will help to create a more digitally inclusive society? Incorporating a STEAM way of learning in a school and in the classrooms is extremely helpful for our students to get real life lessons at an early age. Teamwork, the design method of doing a project, and the forward thinking of creating projects, were never taught to me when I was in school. But now, I am able to facilitate a method of thinking that students will take with them for the rest of their lives working with others and being able to edit and critique their work in order to make a fully successful project. Susan Amsler-Akacem is the technology teacher for grades K-8 at the Weiss School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She has a bachelors degree in Graphic Design from Florida Atlantic University.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY, OREGON

The Library’s Role in Cultivating Digital Literacy Interview with Amy Honisett, Public Training Librarian, Multnomah County Library

Can you tell us more about Multnomah County Library’s program to bridge the digital divide? Multnomah County Library offers a number of programs designed to help bridge the digital divide. The library is a safe, free place for people to come learn digital skills, including the most basic computer skills – learning to use a mouse, learning to use a computer keyboard – to more advanced skills like email, spreadsheets, and word processing. The beginning computer learner may feel intimidated. Library classes are a low stakes way to gain familiarity with the computer, for the learner to build their confidence and gain the skills needed to move on to more advanced subjects. Library classes also bring learners together, in order to learn from each other. Multnomah County Library offers a number of free classes, as well as one-on-one help with volunteers and with library staff. The library has partnered with Portland State University’s Literacy, Language, and Technology Research group to work on a study funded by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This study will investigate how library patrons and non-patrons solve problems in

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a technology-rich environment, and we hope this will help us determine ways to further meet our patrons’ technology-training and digital literacy needs. Access is another extremely important factor in bridging the digital divide. The library system is the largest provider of free broadband access in the area. Nearly two million people accessed public PC and wifi sessions at Multnomah County Library in fiscal year 2013.

Who are the people that participate in this program? People from a variety of age groups and backgrounds attend Multnomah County Library classes. Seniors often attend our classes to gain technology skills, as do job changers and people who want to increase their technology skills for work or for a personal project. The library has recently started offering classes in

Fast

Spanish, Russian, and Chinese, as well as English, and we hope to soon offer classes in Vietnamese, too. Multnomah County Library also offers lab time, during which patrons can use Internet-enabled computers, with support from a computer lab assistant. At various library locations, this assistance is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

How do you promote this project to your community to get participation? Library classes and events are promoted on the library’s website (multcolib.org), as well as in local newspapers and on flyers at the library and in the community. Library staff are instrumental in informing the community about classes. Not only do staff discuss class options with patrons in the library, they also spend time in the communities we serve. Facts

• State: Oregon • Year Established: 1864, it is the oldest public library west of the Mississippi River • Number of Staff Members: 604 regular status employees, 91 on-call staff (March 2015) • Number of People Trained: Over 2,000 (2014) • Funder: Funded as a library district through property taxes provided by Multnomah County property owners in Oregon • Operating Budget: $67.2 million (FY 2014)

What is your approach to teaching digital literacy to communities that are not traditionally online? I believe in supporting learners with written material that contains clear and easy to understand language, rather than jargon.

“The ability to use technology improves quality of life by saving people time, exposing people to information, and allowing people to stay connected with family, friends, and communities of interest.” Multnomah County Library gets much of its curriculum from an organization called OASIS Connections, an organization devoted to lifelong learning. The curriculum is well-organized, uses plain language, and contains many easy to understand images. It is important to make the material relevant to the learner’s life. Going through rote exercises will not help an adult learner synthesize the concepts. Instead, the learner must be given the opportunity during class to practice skills that mean something in that learner’s life. For any class, a supportive, patient instructor is essential. The instructor has to be able to balance the needs of each individual student with the needs of the class as a whole. With this in mind, our instructors frequently have classroom assistants who can help individual learners who get stuck on a concept, allowing that learner to catch up with the rest of the class. The instructor also should be willing to work with the student to learn together.

What might be something surprising about your work that some people might not realize? All sorts of people come to the library to learn technology skills; our classes are definitely not limited to a certain age group.

Can you share a success story? A library staff person facilitates a very popular Chinese computer lab at one of our locations. We recently offered a beginning iPad class at that library, and some of his students signed up for the class. Then some more signed up, and more. In order to best serve these patrons, I added a note to the class description on our website to indicate that this class is geared towards people who speak Cantonese. The instructor (a wonderful volunteer) does not speak Chinese, but with help from the bilingual library staff person, the class was a great success.

In your opinion, why is digital literacy important? The ability to use technology well is imperative for success. Many employers accept applications exclusively online, and it would be exceedingly difficult to search for employment without using the Internet. The ability to find and evaluate health information empowers patients to act as partners in their own health care. Perhaps most important, the ability to use technology improves quality of life by saving people time, exposing people to information, and allowing people to stay connected with family, friends, and communities of interest. Amy Honisett is the Public Training Librarian at Multnomah County Library. She earned an MSLIS from Drexel University and an MA from Portland State University. Previously, Amy was the Education Librarian at University of Utah’s Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.

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TECH SUPPORT

Virtual Learning for Nonprofits By Sophia Guevara, Social Media Fellow, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP); Editorial Committee, NTEN: Change Journal

rofessional development is important to keep one current and marketable in today’s job market. With my background in distance learning and interest in helping others grow, I have learned to be creative in the tools and techniques I utilize in developing virtual learning sessions. How can you help your colleagues improve their tech know-how? The following are a few lessons learned that can help your nonprofit develop its virtual professional development.

GOOGLE HANGOUTS

About a year ago, I had the opportunity to present a learning session using Google Hangouts on Air. Free and easy to use, I used this option and recorded the session on my YouTube account. With the option to watch the live stream from my YouTube channel or my Google+ profile page, viewers could quickly access the content. With almost 160 registrants, this was by far the most popular session I’ve put together so far. Recording the content onto my YouTube account to make it available after the fact helped those who may have had

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scheduling conflicts not miss the opportunity to learn. In addition, the recording was forwarded to others by those who wanted to share the content with their colleagues. But, if you are looking to provide tech training to a smaller and more private audience, Google Hangouts also has an option for you to invite up to ten other users over a free video call. You can share your screen and watch a prerecorded video together by adding the YouTube Hangouts app. Learn more about Hangouts https://www.google.com/+/ learnmore/hangouts/. WEBINARS

If you are connecting with colleagues who may be away from the office or at remote locations, perhaps webinar software might be the right fit for you. Often these tools require participants to create an account and require the downloading of software on each participant’s computer. Attendees are provided with the option to use their computer’s microphone or a call-in option. While many of these tools are fee-based, there are a few opportunities to make use of

webinars for free - although on a rather limited basis. An example of this technology being used to provide professional development on a larger scale is the Special Libraries Association’s Information Technology Division. Libby Trudell, past chair of the division shared more about how the program was established: SLA’s Information Technology Division exists to help its global members stay abreast of technology trends and information products. In 2014, a webinar program was established to support members unable to attend the annual conference. While conference sessions may have 100 attendees, webinar registration exceeds 200 per session, and multiple sessions can be offered throughout the year. The webinar program has greatly expanded the learning opportunities for SLA members. DEVELOP AN ONLINE COURSE

Think about creating an online course for your learners. Online courses can be part of a blended learning program with a few faceto-face learning opportunities or designed with no in-person contact. Using tools like Wix or Google Sites, you can develop a learning program that helps professionals gain access to the material they need. Course creation doesn’t have to be complicated. With Google Sites, you can make use of templates to get your course started. In addition, you can restrict access to the content you have developed. As part of the course content, think about screencasting. Screencasting software allows you to record what is on your screen and add comments to help those viewers learn. Two free

screencasting solutions are: • Screenr: screenr.com • Jing: techsmith.com/jing.html SELF-PACED LEARNING PROGRAMS

Think about creating a self-paced learning technology program to support the self-discovery of new technology. Inspired by Helen Blowers’ Learning 2.0 Project, I developed a similar page on the Consortium of Foundation Libraries’ blog. The learning program was broken up into ten weekly assignments. Participants were encouraged to set up their own blog to compose their reactions to the potential use of each tool introduced, and the weekly discussion questions. DEVELOP AN ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY

One tool that I have seen work in continuing the learning

conversation is LinkedIn Groups. Groups are free to use and only requires that participants make a free account on the site. Group managers can highlight topics to foster communication among members, and professionals can help each other learn by contributing to the conversation. Learn more about LinkedIn Groups: http://www.linkedin.com/ directory/groups. MARKETING LEARNING

Once you have the tools and content developed, what should you keep in mind when it comes to marketing the learning session?

Be aware of the knowledge and needs of your audience, and focus the learning opportunity appropriately.

Be innovative and deliver content in a way that not only helps grow the technology abilities

NONPROFIT TECHNOLOGY NETWORK

of your audience, but also allows them to try a new learning tool.

Develop opportunities that reduce barriers like schedules or distance.

If the professional development opportunity you are creating is for your employer, team up with fellow trainers or the staff development lead in your HR department to ensure that all employees are made aware of the opportunity. In conclusion, don’t let a lean budget minimize your creativity in developing successful virtual learning opportunities. Sophia Guevara is currently a Social Media Fellow with Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP). In addition, she is a member of the NTEN: Change Journal Editorial Committee and chair elect of the Information Technology Division at the Special Libraries Association.

YOU SPEND MOST OF YOUR LIFE AT WORK.

DO WHAT YOU LOVE! Find and post jobs in the nonprofit technology sector with NTEN’s Nonprofit Tech Job Board. JOBS.NTEN.ORG @NTENJOBS NTEN: CHANGE | MARCH 2015

TECH SUPPORT

15 Minutes to Better Website Accessibility By Wiebke Herding, Managing Director, ON:SUBJECT Communications; Editorial Committee, NTEN: Change Journal

hough estimates vary, most studies find that about one in five people have some kind of disability. Some of them are in severe need of assistance, for others small adjustments can make a big difference. This way, the Internet has become an essential tool for communication and empowerment for many people with disabilities in the past decade. At the same time, even those of us that consider ourselves ablebodied might be facing reduced visual or auditory perception, or lower motor-related or cognitive skills due to injury or aging at one point in our lives. Making websites more accessible is thus not just about people with disabilities. Most of us have experienced the challenge of using the web without a “normal” computer. How often do dropdown menus fail to open on a touch screen? And why do the buttons need to be tiny when I access a page using my phone? Now imagine you’re using a braille display, a screen reader, or any other assistive technology to communicate with the world. Making websites more accessible does not have to be difficult, and often has surprising

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benefits: A radio button in a form without a proper label, for example, requires you to click the radio button itself, but if you have properly implemented the label tag, the text is also clickable. Semantic markup, while making the site more understandable for blind people, also has SEO benefits and maintainability benefits. Almost everyone benefits from helpful illustrations, properly organized content, and clear navigation. Similarly, while captions are a necessity for deaf users, they can be helpful to others, including anyone who views a video without audio. Since

“the internet has become an essential tool for communication and empowerment for many people with disabilities in the past decade.”

not everyone has the same abilities or equal use of the same senses, one of the main keys to accessibility is ensuring that information is transformable from one form into another, so that it can be perceived in multiple ways. Text is unequaled for its universality: it remains accessible when viewed on large and small screens, when read out loud, or through touch. We can even automatically translate it from one language to the next. THE 3-STEP ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT

To check your website for potential accessibility issues, you can review it from three different angles.

Try without visuals: Your website should still make sense when you switch off images, stylesheets, and other visual cues. You can do so, for example, using the Web Developer extension in Firefox or Chrome. A few things to check: • Does the reading order make sense? Is content organized logically (using semantic markup, e.g. headings and lists)? • Can you skip the navigation – or do you need to read through it on every single page? Even better: Is there a search box at the very beginning to jump directly to the content you’re looking for? • Can you navigate the website using the keyboard only? Are form fields in the right order? How about beautifully responsive javascript? • Have you defined alternative text for images? Is it meaningful?

Try without sound: Videos, slide casts, and audio interviews are great tools for storytelling and to add depth to

your communications. They should still remain accessible with the sound switched off. A few things to check: • Do you provide captions and/or transcripts for your multimedia content? • Is it possible to pause and rewind during playback?

Try without complexity: Websites can be hard to navigate, even in the best of times. Simple adjustments can help us make it easier for ourselves (and all other users). A few things to check: • How readable is your copy? Can you make it shorter? Easier? • Does your website remain usable The quickest way to test your website for accessibility issues is with the WAVE evaluation tool. The BBC website does a good job with accessibility of constantly updated content and multimedia.

if you enlarge the font in your web browser by 150%? • Does your website use sufficient color contrast? This is particularly important for people with reduced color vision. • What happens if users make errors, e.g. when filling in forms? Is it easy for them to correct and try again? Utah State University’s Center for Persons with Disabilities offers a handy tool to evaluate web accessibility and color contrast at wave.webaim.org that will highlight issues with your site, e.g. missing form labels and image descriptions. If you want to delve deeper, you can find a more comprehensive set of criteria in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), an international technical standard

for web content accessibility. They are the basis for most web accessibility laws in the world. Links and References 1. Web Developer Extension for Firefox and Chrome: http://chrispederick.com/work/ web-developer/ 2. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: http://www.w3.org /TR/WCAG20/ 3. WebAIM: Quick Reference Testing Web Content for Accessibility: http://webaim.org/ resources/evalquickref/ Wiebke Herding s the Managing Director of ON:SUBJECT, the Amsterdambased change consultancy. She works with organizations addressing complex sustainability issues and seemingly intractable communications challenges. She loves perfect, simple solutions that increase impact, accessibility and inclusiveness. Find her at @wiebkehere.

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CE FITREN O R E NP O NF P O C CA N 15 OGY RE 0 2 L ON O I HN SESS EC

Text2Change: How to Leverage Text Messaging for Communication By Vanessa Mason, eHealth Senior Manager, ZeroDivide

ext messaging offers an innovative, cost-effective method for community mobilization that can improve engagement within underserved populations. How can nonprofits utilize this channel to connect their communities? During our recent session at the 2015 Nonprofit Technology Conference, “Text2Change: How to Leverage Text Messaging for Communication,” we shared key considerations for the design and implementation of text messaging programs. Read on for a few guidelines to consider!

WHY TEXT MESSAGING?

Underserved or vulnerable communities have historically seen poor social and economic mobility as a result of both concentrated poverty and isolation from knowledge and resources. The evidence clearly shows that there are distinct opportunities for mobile phones and SMS to have unprecedented impact on interactive sharing, learning, and engagement, providing

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unprecedented connections that would otherwise not exist. Although SMS is not a panacea, text messaging is valuable for social impact for many reasons: • Accessible: 98% of text messages are opened within 4 minutes compared to 22% of emails in the first few hours. • Inexpensive: Thanks to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s Lifeline program or “Obama phone program” as it’s known colloquially, low-income consumers can obtain free and discounted mobile handsets and pre-paid wireless plans. • Convenient: The portability of mobile phones means each individual has access to real-time communication wherever they go, regardless if they are a 14year old teen in school or a 45year old adult who is homeless. SUCCESSES FOR SMS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT

Given the direct and indirect negative impacts of poor health on outcomes ranging from economic

opportunity to educational attainment, ZeroDivide has focused on text messaging as an essential tool to achieve health equity by addressing the social determinants of health for greatest social impact. Some of our recent eHealth text messaging programs include:

Text4Wellness and Mobilize-4-Fitness: ZeroDivide and the Institute for eHealth Equity (IeHE) partnered on two mobile health projects, with support from the Aetna Foundation, aimed at improving the health and wellness of African American women who are members of historically AfricanAmerican congregations. Text4Wellness is a mobile health service that provides timely and actionable information about healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, general wellness, and active living. Mobilize-4-Fitness is a mobile health service that provides mobile reminders to fitness class members about staying active and engaged in healthy living through fitness and wellness tips.

Stress Less About Sex: ZeroDivide, in partnership with the Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center (API Wellness) in San Francisco with support from the Google Bay Area Impact Challenge, developed Stress Less About Sex, a text messaging intervention for high school youth (ages 14-18) living in the Tenderloin neighborhood to increase knowledge and awareness about sexual and reproductive health needs, and to increase utilization of family planning services at API Wellness offered

TECH SUPPORT

through the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment (Family PACT) program. TROUBLESHOOTING

Text messaging, like any other technology, is not without its obstacles. One common concern involves the relatively high rate of turnover for phone numbers. Within vulnerable communities, phone numbers may change over time as a result of lost or stolen handsets or changing pay-as-yougo cell phone plans. Google Voice is a great tool to use to ensure that you keep in contact with your constituents. Once your constituent secures a Google Voice number, any phone that he or she uses can be linked to the Google Voice number to receive calls and texts. Another frequently asked question involves privacy and security issues. While ZeroDivide can provide general guidance, it’s helpful to turn to the experts in your particular sector for specific advice. In general, it’s best to not share sensitive or very personal information via text messaging as transmission is not secure. Additionally, mobile phones can be picked up and viewed by almost anyone at any time even with passcodes. Other recommendations are: • Advise constituents on how to delete messages for especially sensitive issues (ie. rescue from human trafficking). • Implement two-step authentication via the website or app connected to SMS to ensure the right person sees the correct information at the right time. HOW TO GET STARTED

Starting a text messaging program

is not as simple as pushing a button. Often the first step involves research to ensure the approach adopted has the best chance of success. ZeroDivide’s co-design methodologies for SMS content development in eHealth brings together data from academic literature with insights from underserved communities. This helps us to develop culturally competent messaging that reinforces the social support and community assets needed to spark and sustain behavior change. This will help reduce healthcare disparities and ensure that traditionally underserved communities are not at risk of being left further behind. The most important questions to answer while designing a text messaging intervention are: • What problem are you trying to solve? • Why are you using text messaging for your population or constituency? • What impact do you want to have? The answers to these questions will help to determine your research methods, and identify and build relationships with key stakeholders. These key stakeholders will help ensure the acceptability of the intervention and support recruitment and engagement, as they often serve as crucial key influencers for the program. For more resources about text messaging for social change, take a look at ZeroDivide’s newest publications, the Mobile4Impact Series. The Series, supported by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, explore key issues in

the design, funding, deployment, and evaluation of nonprofit and public sector mobile interventions in underserved and vulnerable communities, focusing on three mobile technologies: SMS (Short Message Services), Geo-location, and Mobile App Development. RECOMMENDATIONS TO SCALE & SUSTAIN SMS

• Foundations need greater familiarity and expertise in mobile tech interventions, and their potential role for accelerating social change. • Nonprofits and Social Service Agencies should employ thorough internal planning to assess organizational readiness before offering text messaging. • Technologists should embrace and pursue public-private community partnerships with tech sector entrepreneurs, developers, and businesses to ensure the design and implementation of the most impactful mobile tech solutions. For more information about SMS for social impact, you can download the entire report series at mobile4impact.org. We want to hear how you are using text messaging in your work. Tweet to us at @zerodivideorg using the hashtag #Mobile4Impact to share your programs and experiences! Vanessa Mason is the eHealth senior manager at ZeroDivide where she advises on product development in digital health for the underserved. Vanessa has worked at the intersection of health, tech, and social impact throughout her career. She earned her BA from Yale University and her MPH from Columbia University. Follow her on Twitter at @vanessamason. ZeroDivide (ZD) is a nonprofit consulting organization focused on the design, development and implementation of technology solutions to increase digital equity and accelerate social change in underserved communities.

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