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Equity and Access Track: Group Report

Amy Rubin

Individuals and Teams

1. Individuals and teams should engage in interdisciplinary research that will identify and expose values and manifestations of values evident in the existing computer culture. Some examples include: extensive use of jargon and acronyms, language like “male/female” connectors rather than plug and socket, computer/system names as reflection of male ideals, and “techno-macho” phenomena.

2. Individuals and teams should establish style/standards/methods groups with a charge to :

a. elicit a statement of values to be incorporated into computer based information technology that identifies:

  1. user powers and rights
  2. user responsibilities
  3. imposed penalties for violation of norms
  4. User access (transparent/equitable)
    1. basic universal access – transparent
    2. leveled access – also transparent
    3. participation constraints should reflect “legitimate” rather than socio-cultural biases.

b. develop a “style book” for computer based information system design

c. develop a methodology and a set of tools that can be used to develop systems in accordance with the style book

d. participate in development and review of standards in cooperation with existing organizations (ACM, IEEE, ISO)

e. establish accreditation standards for educational institutions that take into account issues of equity and access to information resources.

f. develop and disseminate curricula and curricular materials

Research Center on Computing and Society

3. RCCS should act as a coordinator and clearinghouse by developing and supporting:

a. moderated Bitnet/Internet based forum for exchange and discussion of access and equity issues

b. dissemination of a bibliography

c. publicity for the forum and for Center services

d. a“clipping service” that would forward information (or at minimum notification of the existence of information) on participant selected topics, network and published sources.

e. coordination with other NCCV track groups – call attention to interdependencies among them (for example, the relationship between increasing access/equity and the need for some level of security)

f. a file of “success” stories – examples of how others have solved critical problems, indexed/keywords/case synopsis.

g. a brief annotated list of relevant journals

h. a monthly collection of the tables of contents from relevant journals.

4. RCCS should assist in the establishment of “consumer reports” that reviews existing hardware, software and information systems on the basis of equity and access standards.

5. Southern Connecticut State University should establish Resident Fellowships at RCCS that will allow researchers to come to the Center for extended periods to research these issues.

Government, Corporations and Funding Agencies

6. Government, corporations and funding agencies should establish and fund an interdisciplinary research program for transparent, appropriate and socio-culturally sensitive technology.

RCCS and Individuals

7. The Research Center and individuals should provide a mechanism – such as accepted peer review and tenure credit – that will acknowledge the values of research which can be accepted by all involved disciplines including computer science.

8. The Research Center and individuals should publicize inequalities and provide lobbying efforts to convince individuals, organizations, and governments of the importance to reform these issues.

All Groups

9. All groups should take and support legislative action including:

a. Amendment of the Communications Act of 1934 to redefine minimal “universal access” to include telecommunication, cable TV, and information resources.

b. definition of a new fundamental right: to benefit from access to information resources by assuring that essential equipment (hardware and software) and training is available at minimal cost or for free.

c. proposing that the National Research and Education Network (NREN) explicitly provide for low-cost or free access to network for K – 12 schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. This item should receive priority because NREN is expected to pass this year closing a window of opportunity to influence the legislation in the public interest.

10. Everyone should work on satisfying the need for substantial interdisciplinary research on how access, or lack of access, impacts individuals as well as the extent to which other socio-cultural factors are responsible for specific problems of access or equity.

11. Everyone should actively support and suggest research into interdisciplinary gender and cultural issues as they apply to computing, system design, etc.

12. We should all “do the right thing!”

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