Download - Project Endeavor
Project EndeavorProject EndeavorOutreach Strategies
The Good, The Bad and The What Really Works
Communication Service for the Deaf102 North Krohn Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57103
June 27, 2011
The Digital DivideThe Digital Divide”Americans with disabilities are less than half
as likely as their non-disabled counterparts to
own a computer, and they are about one-
quarter as likely to use the Internet.”
Stephen Kaye, PhD.Disabilities Statistics Center
Project GoalsProject GoalsFocus on deaf and hard of hearing individualsTo provide subsidized broadband to introduce people to the InternetProvide equipment at reduced or no cost to eligible consumerPartner with existing community organizations serving the deaf to reach out to hard to serve individuals Demonstrate how to make web based services accessible to deaf and hard of hearing individualsFind or develop tutorials on web access that were understandable for deaf consumers
Best Practices Best Practices o Unique Contact Center
• TTY, voice, videophone, email, IM, web chat, IP relay
o Public Access Videophones (PAVs)• Distribute to various public
locations• Provides direct access to internet
and video communications
The GoodThe Goodo National large network of
organizations and clubs serving deaf and hard of hearing (We knew where we could find them)
o Project Endeavor staff are knowledgeable concerning hearing loss & technology (We knew their needs)
o Commitment to 100% accessible communication (We spoke their language)
The BadThe Bado Slick web based and social marketing
campaigns don’t touch individuals with zero Internet
o Our population had a much higher adoption rate than the overall disability community
o For the truly needy the price point is zero
The Bad Cont’dThe Bad Cont’do With disability access equipment
there is no one size fits all• Seniors• Hard of hearing/non-signing• “Younger plugged in” population
o Unanticipated Characteristics• Many currently subscribing to
Internet, but only for video calls• Need in person handholding to
take the dive
And The Bad Cont’dAnd The Bad Cont’do Equipment is sexy, broadband is
boringo The solutions that were current when
we wrote the grant are becoming old solutions
o The private sector has a difficulty seeing many of our consumers as a viable market
What Really WorksWhat Really Workso In person, high touch supporto Multiple solutions but you have to keep
it simple o Catch their attention with a piece of
equipment then discuss Internet options
o Even with a two year project think first wave and second wave solutions
And Continues to WorkAnd Continues to Worko There is little ROI in generic outreacho Outreach must address unique
functional needs o Present “your” consumers as a market
share that someone is going to get
DiscussionDiscussiono Share your experiences!
• Challenges• Best practices• Outreach strategies pinpointing specific or
unique populations