NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoup.org - Alliance/common cause

ATSTAR - helping teachers use tech for kids with disabilities

Sharron Rush — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 09:58:52 -0400

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

Knowbility

URL

www.atstar.org

Location

Texas, Colorado, Montana

Project Description

Assistive technology (AT) can be a lifeline for students with disabilities. As more students with learning differences, physical impairments, and cognitive and emotional disorders are educated in general education classrooms, teachers are challenged to meet the needs of those students. Kids with disabilities do better in school when they have access to the right technology supports.

ATSTAR brings AT expertise directly into the classroom. Using a series of online training modules, an online community of AT experts to mentor teachers, and fully accessible captioned video case studies to guide teachers through the process of AT assessment and implementation, ATSTAR pilots have demonstrated that teachers gain expertise and kids benefit.

A teacher in a rural Montana school house, teaching grades K-8 in one classroom, used the ATSTAR program to find a technology solution for a second grader with cerebral palsy. The student is bright and because of mobility and speech impairments needs alternative input and output devices for communication of lessons. The ATSTAR method guided the teacher and parents to the right solution so that the student has the support she needs to succeed in school.

Recent technology improvements have made the ATSTAR program ready for national dissemination. Contact Kathy carmain for more information: kathy at knowbility dot org .

FreePledge

cbernadi — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:33:44 -0400

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

FreePledge, Inc

URL

www.freepledge.com

Location

Silicon Valley, California

Project Description

FreePledge is a young for-profit social venture that aims to help nonprofits tap into the Internet and technologies.
FreePledge has leveraged the power of growing e-commerce market to empower nonprofit organizations.

Users go through FreePledge for their online shopping, they pay exactly the same price as they would otherwise and a percentage of their purchases is donated to the nonprofit of their choice at no cost to them (or to the nonprofit).

Partnered online stores include Amazon, Ebay, Orbitz, shop.com, Target, BestBuy, Apple and many more.

The Cedar Cultural Center

Steve Hanson — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:37:45 -0400

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

The Cedar Cultural Center

URL

http://www.thecedar.org

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Project Description

The Cedar Cultural Center is a nonprofit music venue in Minneapolis, MN. August 23, 2006 The Cedar launched a new web site. The site was built in collaboration with Cruiskeen Consulting LLC

The new site has many features. It is very rich in audio and video material, and features information about upcoming performances.

One of the most exciting upcoming events at The Cedar is the annual Nordic Roots Festival, which features music from the Nordic countries.

More information about The Cedar:

The Cedar (also known as the Cedar Cultural Center) is a highly eclectic music venue located in the vibrant West Bank district of Minneapolis. Renowned for hosting some of the best acts in folk, blues, jazz, indie rock and world music in an intimate space, the Cedar is a 501(c)3 non-profit, largely volunteer-driven organization and welcomes your support!

Mission

The Cedar's mission is to promote inter-cultural appreciation and understanding through the presentation of global music and dance. The Cedar is committed to artistic excellence and integrity, diversity of programming, support for emerging artists, and community outreach.

History

The Cedar is located in the historic Cedar Theater building, which opened in 1948 and operated as a movie theater until the 1970’s before falling into disuse. The Cedar Cultural Center was established in 1989 when local real estate magnate Keith Heller donated the theater to a non-profit started by Deb Martin and Mary Ann Dotsen, Minnesota STAR (Society for Traditional Arts and Resources). Their mission was “to support the preservation of cultural diversity by promoting and presenting traditional music and dance of many cultures.” Bill Kubeczko has been the artistic and executive director since 1993, and with the help of a small, dedicated staff and a legion of energetic volunteers, the Cedar has been presenting 150 or more high-quality shows every year since.

Wireless Networking in the Developing World

Graham Freeman — Wed, 24 May 2006 12:22:52 -0400

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URL

http://www.wndw.net/

Location

The web

Project Description

The massive popularity of wireless networking has caused equipment costs to continually plummet, while equipment capabilities continue to increase. By applying this technology in areas that are badly in need of critical communications infrastructure, more people can be brought online than ever before, in less time, for very little cost. The authors hope to not only convince you that this is possible, but also show how they have made such networks work, and to give you the information and tools you need to start a network project in your local community.

The material is available as a freely downloadable PDF, a paperback bound book available for purchase, and on the collaborative wiki. Contributions via the wiki are encouraged.

Arts Engine

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:39:05 -0400

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

Arts Engine, Inc.

URL

www.artsengine.net

Location

New York City

Project Description

Arts Engine, Inc. supports, produces, and distributes independent media of consequence and promotes the use of independent media by advocates, educators and the general public. By fostering the production and use of independent film, video and new media, Arts Engine connects media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.

Our projects include:

Big Mouth Films
Big Mouth Films produces feature-length, social issue documentaries independently and in collaboration with numerous companies and organizations. Big Mouth is best known for the Emmy-nominated film Deadline, a compelling exploration of the events surrounding governor George Ryan's commutation of 167 death sentences in Illinois.
www.artsengine.net/projects

MediaRights.org
MediaRights helps media makers, educators, librarians, nonprofits, and activists use documentaries and shorts to encourage action and inspire dialogue on contemporary social issues.
www.mediarights.org

Media That Matters Film Festival
The Media That Matters Film Festival brings high-impact shorts and Take Action tools to audiences around the country all year long through distribution of a DVD with all sixteen films, Web streaming, broadcasts and community screenings.
www.mediathatmattersfest.org

YMDi
The Youth Media Distribution Initiative (YMDi.org) is a comprehensive series of online and offline programs that boost the distribution and impact of youth-made films.
www.YMDi.org

Malecare Prostate Cancer Support for Gay Men

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:58:01 -0400

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

Malecare, Inc.

URL

www.malecare.com

Location

New York City

Project Description

www.malecare.com Provides support services and an online community to gay men with prostate cancer. It is the only cancer community for gay men in the world. Being online helps men connect with other men in a supportive, dating neutral environment around life threatening and sexually diminishing cancer treatment. This project began locally in New York City and has quickly expanded worldwide.

International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)

Britt Bravo — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:48:49 -0500

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Supporting organization

International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)

URL

www.iicd.org/

Location

The Hague, The Netherlands

Project Description

The International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) assists developing countries to realize locally owned sustainable development by harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs). IICD works with its partner organizations in selected countries, helping local stakeholders to assess the potential uses of ICTs in development. They are presently working in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Ghana, Jamaica, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Euforic

Britt Bravo — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 11:00:52 -0500

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

Euforic

URL

www.euforic.org

Location

Maastricht, The Netherlands

Project Description

Euforic is a forum for information exchange and dialogue on international cooperation and development:

• Euforic makes information on Europe's international cooperation more accessible;
• Euforic facilitates communication and dialogue among organizations involved in Europe's International Cooperation;
• Euforic brokers collaboration, learning and knowledge exchange on international cooperation issues.

It begain in 1995 and is a not for profit coooperative whose members include NGO's, research and education organizations, networks and governments.

CommunityNI.org

Britt Bravo — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:30:34 -0500

Project Screenshot

URL

www.communityni.org

Location

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Project Description

Community NI has been developed by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) to promote the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. The website was launched in April 2005.

The goal of the site is to give community, voluntary or charitable organizations an opportunity to promote theselves on the Internet and to share resources and expertise.

Africa Source 2

Britt Bravo — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 21:16:29 -0500

Project Screenshot

Supporting organization

Multiple (see points of interest)

URL

wiki.africasource2.tacticaltech.org/

Location

Uganda, Africa

Project Description

This wiki was used to plan and dynamically record the agenda and event proceedings for the Africa Source 2 Conference that took place in Uganda, Africa from January 8-15, 2006. Africa Source II was an eight day hands-on workshop aimed at building the technical skills of those working with NGOs in Africa. The wiki also contains feedback from participants, reports of the event, blog entries and more. The group also kept a blog and used tags on the wiki.