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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 4 Hansard (3 April) . . Page.. 1509 ..
(4) What level of training and expertise do ACT Government web site developers undertake in order to be web site managers.
Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member's question is as follows:
(1) A study into Connectivity Issues for Disadvantaged People prepared by the Charles Sturt University, publicly released through the Digital Divide Website in September 2002, has identified the specific access requirements for each disadvantaged group. This study informed the Community IT Access Plan, publicly released in March 2003, which includes specific initiatives for the provision of IT access to persons with disabilities and an ageing population.
a) The Digital Divide Grants Program is a key part of the Government's approach to bridging the Digital Divide. To date approximately $100,000 has been provided to organisations who listed people living with a disability amongst their target groups. One of these organisations deals exclusively with people with a disability. More detailed information regarding these Grants is provided at http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/digitaldivide.
In addition a number of initiatives to improve the provision of IT access for people with a disability have been planned and funded under the Digital Divide program, including:
improved community access options at schools, community organisations and libraries, (including funding for additional PC's and large screen monitors);
provision of one on one training via the Roving Trainer program, including training and access to Disability Housing Residents;
the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services being funded to consult with carers and other relevant disability groups. Information gathered will be used to develop and implement a pilot program aimed at providing access and training to carers of the mobility impaired; and
funding will be provided to the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services to pilot a residents IT training and access program;
b) To dated approximately $90,000 from the Digital Divide Grants Program has been provided to community organisations who cater for an ageing population. At least two of these organisations list seniors as their primary target group.
Initiatives to improve the provision of IT access for an ageing population are being addressed in a similar fashion to those for people with a disability, including:
improved community access via the expansion of library IT services, the utilisation of the ACT School Infrastructure;
the exploration of access possibilities for the mobility impaired;
provision of one on one training at community organisations; and
subsidising access via the PC Reuse Scheme.
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