A2T: About the Project

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About the Project

The Access 2 Technology Project is based in Oakland, California. Oakland is located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California between Silicon Valley and the Napa Wine Country. The are is comprised of a patchwork of unique neighborhoods, the community of Oakland exemplifies diversity.

The project was conceived through grassroots organizing and community leaders including the local Macintosh Users Group BMUG, who had previously been involved in other projects to pass along still working, but older model computers. Boy working

The project came alive when Martin Snapp's Column in "The Montclarion" featured an Oakland boy with disabilities who had written a letter to Santa requesting a computer for the third Christmas in a row. Suddenly, the project had a human focus! A2T volunteers rallied to gather parts and equipment and assembled a computer for Nathan. He and his single mother were overjoyed! While driving home from the delivery of Nathan's computer, we dreamed about how great it would be to impact students in need.... every single day!

"Teach a man to fish..." became the standard operating procedure once we realized that we could never generate enough manpower ourselves to meet the demand! We also had concern that all recipients of our refurbished computers feel empowered to use and maintain their "new" computer and not be affected further by "The Digital Divide" due to a lack of basic technical skills. We agreed that the knowledge of how to use and maintain a personal computer, was as important as the actual computer itself.

The Access 2 Technology Project was Formally Incorprated as a Non-Profit Organization in January of 2000. Since that time, over 450 students have participated in projects at their schools or through community organizations. Eight schools have established 30+ workstation computer labs through community service learning projects using refurbished Macintosh hardware. Each school has gone on to expand their technology programs to include new Macintosh equipment as well.

Our program format is geared toward youth in grades K-8. Educational programs are delivered in classes ranging from one (1) day to six (6) weeks. Activities are developed to reinforce the California State Standards for Curriculum as well as National and State technology standards. The average class size is 20 students per course. We prefer to work with school groups or community based youth organizations to design appropriate level projects. For scheduling information, or to support a waiting project, please contact us at:
info@a2t.org