City of New York

NYC Connected Communities

Low-income and limited-English households in the New York City tend to adopt broadband at less than half the rate of their counterparts in moderate and higher income households. The City of New York’s Connected Communities project proposes to upgrade and expand public computer centers in libraries, public housing facilities, recreation centers, senior centers, and community support organizations across the city, focusing on high-poverty areas such as Harlem and the South Bronx. The project plans to serve vulnerable populations in these areas by establishing programs for digital literacy and multimedia training, providing public access to new and upgraded computers and assistive technology, creating after school programs, and providing test preparation and workforce education.

Total Award: 
$13917562
BTOP In Action
A visitor to a senior center sits at a computer and uses assistive technology.

The City of New York’s Connected Communities project is upgrading and expanding computer centers in libraries, public housing facilities, recreation centers, senior centers, and community support organizations across the city. The project provides digital literacy and multimedia training, access to after-school programs, test preparation, and workforce education. Each of the computer centers provides access to computers with software that enhances the experience for users with hearing, vision, and mobility disabilities through assistive technology. These functions include on-screen keyboard, screen magnifier, and text-to-speech applications that read text on the screen and allow or use of text or visual alternatives to sounds. The computer operating platforms also allow customization, such as adjustable keyboard and mouse settings, to accommodate individual needs. Through June 2013, the New York City Connected Communities project has deployed more than 1,780 workstations and provided more than 402,000 training hours. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the access provided by the Connected Communities project “is essential for individuals to succeed academically and economically.”

Reports and Documents
Award Documents