Role of Technology

[humanfatw]

Hi,

My name is Wesley. I am posting a new thread because I would like to know what is the role of technology and internet assess for the homeless.

I might be naive to be asking this question, but would it be considered a necissity? Say on a scale of 1 to 10, what is the important of technology such as cell phones, computers, internet access, and etc.

Thanks!

-wes

[humanfatw]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4396372.stm

Here is an article I came across regarding internet broadband for the homeless.

[Tom.]

Hi Wesley,

On a scale of 1 ~ 10. I would consider it to be at least 8. Many street homeless people have no form of financial income, which means that they have no Internet Access apart from the public library. All the public libraries that I know limit people to one hour per day.

I also know that many homeless people have mobile phones, but cannot afford to make outgoing calls for the same financial reasons. They can of course recieve incoming calls.

Looking for employment or accommodation can be a very complicated process, and the use of a telephone and access to the Internet should ideally be available all day.
Having mail sent to a c/o (care of address) is often unreliable because of the time delay factor of the internal mail systems. I have recieved mail through the post with appointment times that have expired before I got the mail. I'm sure that all concerned do their utmost to keep information flowing, but direct access to a telephone and a computer could make a major difference to homeless people.

Good topic, and well spotted, that BBC news item

[EmBe]

To many (most?) homeless I know it would not be important at all to have computer access. They wouldn't know or care anything about it. But a minority would consider it important. That is the people I know.

Personally I would rate it at a low 2 or 3 (If ten is highly important and one not important at all. It is nice to have, and access to maps and things is good. And it gives a little light relief. But compared to food, warmth and safety it comes in at a very low priority.

I have a note book and a newfangled mobile internet dongle thing, which is pretty funky for a homeless person. It costs ten quid a month.

THe other use of internet is email, which is either a part of your way of life or not. If you need to keep in touch with email friends then it is important. If not not. I think it depends upon your pre-homeless life, if you had such a thing.

Mobile phones are pretty common among homelss people. I got one but never use it, it is useful to have a phone number so officialdom can contact you. mobiles can be got for £5 new or less second hand.

My library offers unlimited free internet access.

[EmBe]

The bbc article was good. It is four years old now though. I note it suggests giving access via hostels and shelters, which makes sense. every shelter I been in would allow use of phone or computer for housing/job purpposes.

The last shelter i was in banned all electrical items except phone chargers, which says something