Technology For All
Encyclopedia
Technology For All is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas
. Developed in 1997 by local entrepreneurs, Technology For All services community-based organizations (such as development centers, YMCAs, and local schools) with computer technology, training, and other digital incentives “to empower under-resourced communities through the tools of technology.” Through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant, Technology For All (TFA) currently hosts 19 public computer centers.
at the M.D. Anderson YMCA
. According to their website, TFA has created 180 community technology centers in the United States since its inception, all partnered with community-serving organizations.
When the Reliant Astrodome
sheltered Hurricane Katrina
refugees in 2005, TFA coordinated a lab with 40 computers and other free supplies.
operate the TFA-Wireless project, which provides free high-speed wireless Internet to Pecan Park, Houston. In 2011, they installed the first residential deployment of Super Wi-Fi
, which uses longer wavelengths to penetrate typical wireless barriers.
and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
. The coalition is summarized as a “comprehensive … initiative significantly expanding broadband public computer center capacity ... across Texas.” With the grant, TXC2 plans to install and maintain 70 public computer centers throughout Austin
, San Antonio, Houston, and the Brazos Valley
to "provide computer access, technical support, digital literacy, workforce development and other services to low-income and vulnerable populations."
According to their website, TFA operates open labs in these community spaces, located in the following super neighborhoods:
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Developed in 1997 by local entrepreneurs, Technology For All services community-based organizations (such as development centers, YMCAs, and local schools) with computer technology, training, and other digital incentives “to empower under-resourced communities through the tools of technology.” Through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President's principal adviser on telecommunications policies pertaining to the United States' economic and technological advancement and to regulation of the...
's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program grant, Technology For All (TFA) currently hosts 19 public computer centers.
History
Technology For All was formed in 1997 as a response to a perceived lack of digital inclusion for historically low-income areas. In 1998, it received M.D Anderson Foundation's first $50,000 grant to help build a community technology centerCommunity technology center
A community technology center or CTC offers resources to help bridge the digital divide, primarily through the public accessing computers and the internet. These centers are a key part of what is now being referred to as digital inclusion programs. Many centers provide training that ranges from...
at the M.D. Anderson YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. According to their website, TFA has created 180 community technology centers in the United States since its inception, all partnered with community-serving organizations.
When the Reliant Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome
Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex...
sheltered Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
refugees in 2005, TFA coordinated a lab with 40 computers and other free supplies.
Community Development
Technology For All divides its goals into three priorities: community technology center support and development, technology research and innovation, and technology services.TFA-Wireless
TFA and Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
operate the TFA-Wireless project, which provides free high-speed wireless Internet to Pecan Park, Houston. In 2011, they installed the first residential deployment of Super Wi-Fi
Super Wi-Fi
Super Wi-Fi is a term coined by the United States Federal Communications Commission to describe a wireless networking proposal which the FCC plans to use for the creation of longer-distance wireless internet connections....
, which uses longer wavelengths to penetrate typical wireless barriers.
Texas Connects Coalition
Texas Connects Coalition (TXC2) is a partnership between TFA, Austin Free-Net (AFN), and the Metropolitan Austin Interactive Network (MAIN). It was recently awarded a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant valued at over nine million dollars. The grant is provided by the National Telecommunications and Information AdministrationNational Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President's principal adviser on telecommunications policies pertaining to the United States' economic and technological advancement and to regulation of the...
and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, abbreviated ARRA and commonly referred to as the Stimulus or The Recovery Act, is an economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009 and signed into law on February 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama.To...
. The coalition is summarized as a “comprehensive … initiative significantly expanding broadband public computer center capacity ... across Texas.” With the grant, TXC2 plans to install and maintain 70 public computer centers throughout Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, San Antonio, Houston, and the Brazos Valley
Brazos Valley
The Brazos Valley is a region in the U.S. state of Texas consisting of Brazos County, Robertson County, Grimes County, Washington County, Burleson County, Madison County, and Leon County, with Brazos County and the cities of College Station and Bryan at its center...
to "provide computer access, technical support, digital literacy, workforce development and other services to low-income and vulnerable populations."
Public Computer Centers
Through the BTOP grant, TFA aims to extend its network of public computer centers to 19. Each lab is partnered with organizations in historically underprivileged neighborhoods, such as Eastside University Village Community Learning Center in Third Ward and the Spring Branch Family Development Center. Each center provides public computers, printers, and Internet access, plus a trainer to manage the center and teach various computer literacy courses.According to their website, TFA operates open labs in these community spaces, located in the following super neighborhoods:
- Bethel's Place (Westbury, Houston/Brays Oaks)
- Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center (Denver HarborDenver Harbor----Denver Harbor was an American alternative rock band, based in San Diego, California. The band was formed in 2002 by former Fenix*TX members Will Salazar and Chris Lewis, along with F.O.N. members Aaron Rubin and Ilan Rubin...
) - Eastside University Village Community Learning Center (Third Ward)
- Elevation Station (Spring BranchSpring BranchThere are two places and one school district named Spring Branch:*Spring Branch, Comal County, Texas, an area covering most of western Comal County, north of San Antonio.*Spring Branch, Houston, Texas, a community located in Houston....
) - Gulf Coast Arms (Trinity/Houston Gardens)
- Haverstock Apartments (Airport)
- Impact Youth Development Center (Trinity/Houston Gardens)
- Magnolia Multi-Service Center (Magnolia Park, Houston)
- M.D. Anderson YMCA (Northside Village/Kashmere Gardens)
- Mission Milby Community Development Center (Pecan Park)
- New Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church (Trinity/Houston Gardens)
- The REACH Center (Westbury, Houston)
- SHAPE Community Center (Midtown, Houston)
- Settegast Heights Village (Settegast, HoustonSettegast, HoustonSettegast is a neighborhood in northeast Houston. The community is bordered by the 610 Loop, the Settegast Yard, and the old Beaumont Highway. The community has many small wood frame houses and empty lots. There are few commercial and industrial uses within Settegast...
) - Sharpstown Learning Center (Sharpstown, Houston)
- Sharpstown Apartments (Westwood)
- South Union Community Development Center (OST/South Union)
- Spring Branch Family Development Center (Spring Branch Central/Fairbanks, Houston)