{"id":55364,"date":"2021-03-10T10:33:35","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T22:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialink.org.nz\/legacy\/?p=55364"},"modified":"2021-03-10T10:36:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T22:36:18","slug":"addressing-the-digital-divide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialink.org.nz\/legacy\/blog\/2021\/03\/10\/addressing-the-digital-divide\/","title":{"rendered":"Addressing the digital divide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you now of wh\u0101nau that do not have a device and internet access?<\/strong><\/p>\n

From a SociaLink led Covid lockdown survey, one of the community challenges identified was the lack of access to reliable devices and internet services for wh\u0101nau. For those unable to access the use of this technology or have internet access, individuals and whanau were impacted by being more socially isolated, less able to access services, education, employment and \u00a0potentially less up to date with daily Covid updates.<\/p>\n

Thus, funding was secured to pilot a Digital Divide programme which we are very happy to say is soon able to rolled out in our WBOP communities thanks to a new partnership between SociaLink, Trustpower and the funders of the Covid-19 recovery fund (TECT, Bay Trust, Acorn and Tauranga City Council).<\/p>\n

TECT has undertaken to fund 50 chrome books, whilst Trustpower will gift 50 modems and (12 month) internet connections as part of the programme, with the possibility of extending internet access for wh\u0101nau following a review that will take place at the end of this pilot programme. SociaLink has undertaken to coordinate this pilot project in this instance, with a view to handing over coordination to community providers working with wh\u0101nau should the initial pilot programme be extended beyond the first 12 months.<\/p>\n

We are now looking for expressions of interest from providers who work with wh\u0101nau that may qualify to receive a device and internet connection. Recipients do not need to be current Trustpower consumers.<\/p>\n

We would like to invite you to a hui on<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday 18 March,\u00a0 1 \u2013 2.00 pm at The Kollective, Historic Village<\/strong><\/p>\n

To RSVP for the hui, please contact Charlotte Van Doorn\u00a0 \u00a0charlotte@socialink.org.nz<\/a>\u00a0 by 10 March 2021.<\/p>\n

The criteria that may qualify whanau for this Digital Divide programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The process will align to the income threshold for WINZ, Jobseeker Benefit as set out below:-<\/p>\n

$ 22,259.12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Married with Children<\/p>\n

$ 19,508.00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Single with children<\/p>\n

$ 13,038.48\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Single \u2013 No dependents<\/p>\n

Additional criteria:<\/strong><\/p>\n