MEDIA RELEASE

IT on the Move in Parramatta and Holroyd areas

Released 30 June 2005

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Isolated communities in Parramatta and Holroyd areas now have access to innovative Information Technology projects and training thanks to the Epping Club and Wentworthville Leagues Club, which have provided funding to Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) for two Community Outreach IT Kits, launched at ICE’s premises in Granville on 29 July 2005.

The Kits, named respectively the Epping Club Community Outreach IT Kit and the Wentworthville Leagues Club Community Outreach IT Kit, allow Information and Cultural Exchange to take training to places where IT equipment isn’t readily available.

“We are hoping to use the kits in aged care centres, public housing estates, playgroups and homeless refuges. The Community Outreach IT Kits consist of laptop computers, software and a projector to be used for IT training projects in isolated locations or places that don’t have computers,” said ICE Management Member Tilda Sikes, who officiated at the launch.

Trevor Oldfield, President of the Wentworthville Leagues Club and David Taylor, President of the Epping Club, both addressed the audience, noting how their clubs’ community grants programs benefit local communities.

“Technology has great potential to make everyday activities easier for people with disabilities. A project like this will make it possible for people with limited mobility to access IT training opportunities” said Guest Speaker Mark Bagshaw, Manager, IBM Accessibility Centre, acknowledging the benefits of the project.

“At present, our SWITCH premises limit the amount of programs we run with people with impaired mobility, such as people in wheelchairs, and the mobile kits are an important way of addressing this,” said Liliana Ruti, Manager of ICE’s Community Information Technology Program. The Program aims to improve access to technology for local communities.

“Through our Community IT Program, the kits have already been used to provide computer training in places like Wentworthville Youth Centre,” she said.

These kits complement the work of SWITCH Multimedia and Digital Arts access centre by providing portable equipment that can be accessed by those who cannot easily access the SWITCH Centre. SWITCH is a partnership between ICE and Parramatta City Council and received support through the NSW Government – Ministry for the Arts.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Liliana Ruti, 9897 5744 communityinfo@ice.org.au.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE

MEDIA RELEASE

July 2005

Information & Cultural Exchange / PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 / P: 9897 5744 / E: info@ice.org.au