Community Access Program

Community Access Program

The Community Access Program (CAP, also seen as C@p) is an initiative of the Government of Canada which aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively. The program is administered by Industry Canada as part of their youth initiative.[1]

Contents

History of CAP

In 1994 the Community Access Program began. Initially, Industry Canada focused on rural communities, where Internet access was less available. Once the rural communities were equipped with computers and Internet access, Industry Canada focused on what is referred to as the “Digital Divide.” According to Statistics Canada 2001, the following groups are in highest need of services offered by CAP: Aboriginals, older Canadians, Canadians with low income or low education, francophone, new immigrants, and people in rural areas. Therefore, the focus is primarily to assist in 'Bridging the Digital Divide'.

CAP Sites in urban areas were then opened to help reach these people. The program plays a crucial role in bridging the Digital Divide; contributing to the foundation for electronic access to government services; encouraging online learning and literacy; fostering the development of community based infrastructure; promoting Canadian e-commerce; and providing training with Assistive Technology. In order to make better use of the computers and equipment funded by CAP, Industry Canada also initiated the Community Access Program - Youth Initiative (CAP YI). CAP Sites could apply for funding to hire Youth Interns to come and work in their CAP Sites to train the public in computer and Internet use and technology.

CAP Logo
Industry Canada Logo

CAP YI

The Community Access Program (CAP) Youth Initiative (YI) is coordinated by Industry Canada's Community Access Program and is funded through the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) of Canada which is overseen by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). CAP's youth initiative aims to provide employment opportunities for young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 - primarily students, recent graduates, or the under-employed or unemployed.

CAP YI participates help individuals, community organizations and small businesses improve their knowledge and effective use of the Internet and related information technologies through computer training. CAP YI is:

  • To support the sustainability and long term viability of CAP Sites by providing work experience for young Canadians in CAP Sites across Canada;
  • To increase the use of information and communications technology (ICT) across Canada to promote economic and social development at the community level; and
  • To allow young people to gain valuable skills related to ICT thereby positioning them for longer-term employment

Locations

Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP) gives thousands of Canadians affordable access to the Internet. CAP sites are located in public locations such as schools, community centers, and libraries. They may provide access in locations that are geographically remote (e.g. on parts of Cape Breton Island[2]) or serve populations subject to the digital divide.[3] Sites are established and maintained by community networks, generally in partnership with Municipal and Provincial Governments. There are CAP sites located in all of the provinces and territories of Canada.[4]

For example, in Ontario the CAP program is divided into 9 networks that are usually grouped by location. The Ontario Library Association has maintained the same names and networks to make things simpler. The number of CAP sites in each network varies.

A CAP site in St. James Town, Toronto

List of caps

CAP Networks

These may be Library Boards, School Boards, Boards of Trade, Economic Development Boards, Municipalities, Community Free Nets, Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), Industry Canada and other federal and provincial departments and agencies. By combining strengths, assets and resources from all their partners and participants, Community Resource Networks can address local and regional issues and concerns that they must deal with in Canada's new knowledge-based economy.


A CAP Network can have geographic basis, for example, defined by the borders of a county, city, school board jurisdiction, tourist or economic development region or a combination of these. Or it can be defined by a shared interest or purpose.

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Community bicycle program — Community bicycle programs (also known as Yellow bicycle programs, White bicycle programs, bike sharing, public bike or free bike) are one element of an international movement to build environmentally friendly transportation.Community programs… …   Wikipedia

  • Community Access, Inc. — Community Access, Inc. is a non profit organization that assists New Yorkers living with psychiatric disabilities make the transition from shelters and institutions to independent living by providing supportive housing, job training and… …   Wikipedia

  • Access Yea Community Education Program — The Access Yea Community Education Program (AYCE) is an innovative [http://www.theage.com.au/news/education news/home sweet school/2006/03/04/1141191856957.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2 Home sweet school ] , Lisa Mitchell, The Age, March 6,… …   Wikipedia

  • Brooklyn Community Access Television — (BCAT) is a public access cable television network in Brooklyn, New York City, operated owned by BRIC|Arts|Media. BCAT has four channels on the Time Warner and Cablevision cable networks, which broadcast community developed television programing …   Wikipedia

  • York Community Access Television — (YCAT) was a public access television station in York, Pennsylvania.The current cable system in the City of York began operations soon after the City and York Cable Co. reached agreement on the city’s first cable television franchise agreement in …   Wikipedia

  • AOL Community Leader Program — The AOL Community Leader Program or AOL CLP was the official name for the large group of volunteers who moderated chat rooms, message boards, and download libraries. It was established in the early 1990s, and discontinued in 2005. At the peak of… …   Wikipedia

  • Community radio — is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest. They broadcast content that is… …   Wikipedia

  • Community driven development — (CDD) is a development initiative that provides control of the development process, resources and decision making authority directly to community groups. The underlying assumption of CDD projects are that communities are the best judges of how… …   Wikipedia

  • Community Boating, Inc — Community Boating Inc. Type Not for profit corporation Industry Sailing Founded 1936 Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts Key people Joseph Lee Jr, Founder Holger Kunst, President of the Board …   Wikipedia

  • Community gardening in the United States — Main article: Community gardening Community gardening in the United States encompasses a wide variety of approaches. Some influential community gardens, such as the Clinton Street garden in the middle of Manhattan in New York City, and the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”