COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY
Conference featuring speakers, workshops, hands-on tutorials
TAKE CHARGE OF THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY!
Tudor Inn Hall, Ottawa
May 7-9, 1995
Keynote address: Dr. Ursula Franklin
The information highway is supposed to be the key to our high-
tech future, the electronic meeting place that will bring us
into the 21st century. The highway is being developed largely
with our money, either through government support or the bills
we pay. But nobody has asked community groups or other non-
government organizations how they would want to use it, or how
it can be adapted to meet their needs and budgets.
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR NGOs AND COMMUNITY NETWORKERS
Community-based organizations and non-government agencies have
a wealth of experience and a range of specific needs that must
be reflected in the development of the information highway.
Community networks and other public access networks already
are working hard to meet those needs, serving as electronic
neighbourhoods that address the priorities and interests of
communities they mirror.
Rarely has there been an opportunity for these two groups to
come together, explore common ground, and find ways of speak-
ing with a unified voice. And never before has the need for
discussion and networking been so urgent.
Through a series of plenary presentations, concurrent discus-
sion groups, and online tutorials, conference participants
will:
* Identify the types of content that will make or break the
information highway as a useful working tool;
* Explore practical barriers - from equipment and software,
to the cost of online services - that could limit the
community sector's access to key information and services;
* Share ideas and make valuable connections with other com-
munity-based groups, government officials, and private
sector suppliers of equipment and services.
LEARN WHAT'S ON THE 'NET FOR YOU AND YOUR ASSOCIATION
Electronic networks are rapidly becoming an essential tool for
outreach, lobbying and information-sharing. But the Internet
is sometimes an unfriendly place for newcomers. This confer-
ence will build important bridges between long-time users of
cyberspace and those who are looking in for the first time.
Onsite terminals will be available throughout the conference
for FREE tutorials and practical use.
EXPRESS *YOUR* NEEDS
Electronic networks could develop into a powerful forum for
groups that tend to be marginalized in society. It can open up
new forms of accessible communication for seniors and people
with disabilities, create overnight links between advocacy
groups, or provide access to social services for households on
fixed or limited incomes. So far, though, these groups have
not been heard from in the development of the information
highway. Here's your chance to think your way forward into a
glaring gap in public policy!
Register now - limited spaces available. Registration is
$95.00 + GST up to April 17. After that date the fees are
$130.00 + GST.
Detailed information on the agenda, speakers, hotel availabil-
ity and shuttle bus service will be mailed out to registrants
in the conference package.
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REGISTRATION FORM
(please print)
[] Sign me up to participate in a conference on community
access to the information highway!
Name/Title ...................................................
Agency/Organization (if applicable) ..........................
Address ......................................................
City ............... Province .......... Postal Code .........
Telephone:(w) (.....).............. (h) (.....)...............
Fax: (......)................ Email ..........................
Registration fees:
[] $95.00 (before April 17) [] $130.00 (after April 17)
Method of payment:
[] Cheque (by mail; cheques payable to InfoLink Consultants)
[] Mastercard [] VISA
Credit Card Number: .............. Expiry date ...............
Name of Card Holder: .............................
Signature: .......................................
(A limited number of subsidized spaces may be available for
students / unemployed / limited income. Call for information.)
Please indicate any special needs we should be aware of:
[] Physical challenges (please specify) ......................
[] Food Allergies (please specify) ...........................
[] Other .....................................................
What Internet applications/uses are you interested in explor-
ing in tutorials?
[] Logging on [] Email/Usenet [] Gopher/Veronica
[] FTP/Archie [] World Wide Web
[] Other (specify) ...................................
* Mail completed registration form to:
Community Access to the Information Highway
c/o InfoLink
P.O. Box 4892, Station E
Ottawa, ON, K1S 5J1
OR
* Fax completed registration form to:
1-613-235-0155
* For more information:
1-800-265-3973
in Ottawa: 594-5960
email John Thurston, ag264@freenet.carleton.ca
or Mitchell Beer, ac779@freenet.carleton.ca
Conference Steering Committee:
Andrew Chisholm, Friends of the Earth
Garth Graham, Coalition for Public Information
Ivan Hale, One Voice, the Canadian Seniors Network
Marita Moll, Public Information Highway Advisory Council
Andrew Reddick, Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Susan Scruton, Canadian Council on Social Development
Dave Sutherland, TeleCommunities Canada