Dear Colleagues:
Although access to the internet and computing services at school and the library are great, they are typically not enough for adults in postsecondary education. In addition, adults need practice working independently long before they "type" their first college paper (at 10 PM...when the kids are finally in bed...and no one else is around). But, internet access in the home typically adds another very expensive utility bill. Could EveryoneOn make a difference for your students? In an upcoming webinar, learn how one vendor, AT&T, is providing affordable wireless internet services for low-income households:
The Access Program from AT&T provides a low-cost option for home Internet access to low-income households in the 21 states where AT&T offers home Internet services. To be eligible, at least one person in the household must be a participant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Other eligibility requirements also apply.
Qualifying households include those:
• With at least one resident who participates in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• With an address in AT&T’s 21-state service area, at which AT&T offers wireline home Internet service; and
• Without outstanding debt for AT&T fixed Internet service within the last six months or outstanding debt incurred under this program. AT&T will assign fastest of speed tiers available at customer’s address:
• 10 megabits per second, for $10 per month;
• 5 megabits per second, for $10 per month; or 3 megabits per second, for $5 per month.
And, there is NO Commitment, NO Deposit, NO Installation fee and NO Charge for in-home Wi-Fi Modem. This is four-year program commenced April 22, 2016.
EveryoneOn will host a 30 min webinar on Wednesday, June 15th, at 11AM EST to discuss the Access from AT&T program in detail, walk through the online application, and share outreach and enrollment strategies. If you work with adult learners, including teachers, program directors, and others, you are encouraged to attend to learn more about the program and inform students about this offer and facilitate enrollment. Programs such as these can be great resources for adult learners, Registration is required: June 15th Webinar.
In the meantime, check out Access from AT&T and Access Partners to learn more. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact: support@everyoneon.org.
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Are you/your students part of EveryoneOn? What has the experience been like?
Cynthia Zafft
Postsecondary Completion Moderator
Comments
This sounds like a promising program, but I would be wary of the actual cost. As an AT &T customer, you need to be aware that the cost presented by the company is usually not the actual cost. Fees can add significantly to the overall cost. However, getting an answer to what the actual cost with fees and taxes will be can be difficult. Also in my experience discounts are offered, but soon after (within a month or two) you are told you are not qualified for that discount, so I think it would be important to make students aware that most likely the cost may be more than expected.
Dear Terry:
Point well taken. It will be interesting to hear the details and get a feel for the project during the webinar.
In this case, EveryoneOn.org acts as a broker, setting specific expectations. From their website: EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit working to eliminate the digital divide by making high-speed, low-cost Internet service and computers, and free digital literacy courses accessible to all unconnected Americans. We aim to leverage the democratizing power of the Internet to provide opportunity to all Americans – regardless of age, race, geography, income, or education level. Read about the board of directors and connected national projects on their About page.
Can someone in our group speak about their experience with internet service and/or computer equipment provided through an "EveryoneOn" arrangement?
Cynthia
There are lots and lots of posts promoting this to the group and a survey about it from David here: https://community.lincs.ed.gov/poll/do-you-know-adult-learners-who-have-obtained-computer-or-low-cost-internet-access-through
Basically, the name "EveryoneOn" is hyperbole with a lot of "well, everybody except..." Could be a good thing if you're not among the exceptions, though.
Here, the UC2B folks (http://www.uc2b.net/uc2b2016/) actually got fiber-optic internet access into our low-income neighborhoods. Now, those of us with higher average house prices have to hope we can get enough of our neighbors to commit to it so they'll build out here... my friends half a mile away do, but alas, they're not even really trying in my neighborhood..