Introduction to the project and contributing staff
About the project . . .
In the Spring of 1995 we began working on what was to become Raising Our Voices. The project was born out of two primary concerns. First, as debate was heating up on Capitol Hill and across the nation about welfare and other entitlement programs we recognized that the voices of those who were to be affected by legislative change needed to be heard. Second, emerging technologies and ways of communicating with one another are growing rapidly, and those that didn't have access, or lacked the resources to gain access, would be left on the side of the road choking in the dust of the information superhighway.
It is increasingly clear that there are crucial gaps in who has access to the new computer technologies. Unfortunately this situation if left unattended will intensify existing disparities between the "haves" and the "have-nots." The vision that developed as we examined this trend was to try and use emerging technologies to bridge this gap and create a place where your voices will be heard. It is our belief that technology is not progress without the inclusion of all citizens and that democracy will thrive when more voices are brought from marginalization to the mainstream.
The content contained in this site is presented from the perspectives and interests of those who use it. This tool is designed to provide access, training, and information, but most importantly to encourage your participation. Your feedback and input are critical to the success of this site!
About the project contributors . . .
The experience that project contributors have had in a series of
community-related efforts has persuaded them of the value of a project such as
this.
Select here to learn more about
them.
The Walk a Mile project:
Influence on Raising Our Voices
Raising Our Voices has
been influenced profoundly by Walk a Mile, a public education project created to develop a link between legislators and other
policymakers with individuals affected by legislation and public policy. Welfare
recipients were paired with legislators and other policymakers to forge a better
understanding of each other's condition.
Select here to learn more about Walk a Mile.
Participating Organizations
Please select below to learn more about each organization.
The Children's Alliance
is a multi-issue, membership-based
organization working to improve the lives of children and families in the state of Washington.
Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition focuses on advocacy, outreach and education in its role as an activist group supporting the rights of low income parents who
use public assistance.
ClamDyp Alliance -- Computer Literacy - Making a Difference to Youth Program -- advocates for equitable access to new communications technologies
for the citizens of central and south Seattle.
The Graduate School of
Public Affairs of the University of Washington
provides education for leaders and conducts research in the public and
nonprofit sectors.
Integra Technology International, Inc. is a client-server tools, wireless messaging software and custom solutions consulting company linking people, information and technology. The company offers a wide variety of products and services to help individuals and businesses grow by getting the most value from information technology. The privately held company is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and has offices in Tucson, Arizona; New York state, and a subsidiary in India.
Dwayne Walker
Dwayne Walker, chairman, CEO, member, office of the president, brings to the
company over 16 years of experience, executive positions, industry contact,
strategic guidance, business vision, and sales and marketing experience to
Integra Technology International, Inc. Prior to joining Integra, in February
1995, Walker left his position as the general manager of worldwide marketing
sales at Microsoft after seven years with the company. During his tenure at
Microsoft, Walker directed sales and marketing efforts for both SQL Server and
Windows NT. He was also responsible for Microsoft's Solution Provider program
bringing the number of participants from a few hundred to more than 9,000.
Walker was also responsible for selling software solutions to small business,
vertical and education markets. Prior to his position with Microsoft, Walker
held positions at Ashton-Tate, TRW, and Hughes.
We're very thankful to Dwayne Walker and Integra for providing us with
a seed grant to help start the project.
The Seattle Foundation was established in 1946 to create an endowment to improve the quality of life in the Puget Sound region. The Foundation's activities include:
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Raising Our Voices
o Welfare for Real
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