It is critical to our future, because broadband drives economic growth, and broadband creates jobs. It provides the infrastructure that communities need to attract innovative businesses in a competitive, global landscape. Broadband also allows businesses of all sizes to reach markets around the world. People who are aging or disabled have unfortunately historically been at the margins of new technologies when they are introduced. Today, as Broadband Internet brings expanded opportunities in health care, education, and civic participation, projects like this one here in San Francisco are critical to making sure that all communities have access to life changing technologies. [applause] highspeed Internet Connections make it possible for patients in rural areas to consult with medical specialists who are hundreds of miles away, for students to take online classes and universities across the country, and for governments to deliver services more efficiently and more easily to their constitu
Sustainable Broadband Adoption programs throughout the country. Several of these also focus on older americans, and virtually all are providing public workstations equipped for people with disabilities. [applause] collectively, the result of this work in San Francisco and in the city and cities and states across the country, will create templates for success that organizations around the rest of the country can replicate in order to help their communities move online. And getting communities online is the reason that we are so invested in this effort. It is critical to our future, because broadband drives economic growth, and broadband creates jobs. It provides the infrastructure that communities need to attract innovative businesses in a competitive, global landscape. Broadband also allows businesses of all sizes to reach markets around the world. People who are aging or disabled have unfortunately historically been at the margins of new technologies when they are introduced. Today, a
To do it anymore. That is right. We have some people with real knowledge and not chitchat to come up and tell us how we can age at the same time that we are gaining insight, knowledge, and exposure to a vast universe of information and opportunity. So we are going to start with derek lamb, an aging Service Program specialist for the newly reorganized administration for Community Living here in region 9, the department of health and Human Services. He has over 23 years of experience in the field of aging and longterm support services. He served as the aging Service Program specialist since 19, ok. Not a kid would say 1906 and in 2006. 20022005. We asked him to join us here with some wise remarks. [applause] good morning, everyone. Can you hear me . All right. Well, on behalf of the original administrator for the newly created administration for Community Living, i would like to congratulate the city and county of San Francisco for launching the 2012 aging and Disability Technology summi
Technology summit. It is an honor for us to be here today to support this important event for the city and county of San Francisco. My name is ann, and i direct the state Broadband Initiative of the National Telecommunications and information administration, which is in washington, d. C. Our agency and tii is part of the u. S. Commerce department, and it is the executive Branch Agency that is in charge of advising the president on telecommunications and information policy issues. We are at the forefront of the obama administrations push to establish a Broadband Foundation needed to support the innovation economy in the united states. We are looking to produce better and new jobs and position to ensure that america remains at the forefront of the economy in the 21st century. We are working to ensure that all americans have the resources and the skills necessary to fully share in all of the possibilities, civic, social, and economic. All of these made possible by the internet. That is on
He discovered for the administration is the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program or btop. This program was established in 2009 by the american reinvestment and recovery act and is administered by ntia. We have nearly 4 billion invested in roughly 230 projects across the country, all aimed at expanding Broadband Access and adoption in the country. And i want to tell you a little bit about the programs and then tell you about why we care so much about this issue. So, we have the btop for infrastructure projects. These are building Broadband Networks in areas that are currently underserved. They are making sure that hospitals, schools, and other Vital Community institutions have the access that they need to make sure that they can compete in this economy. These projects are also going to spur private sector investment, and theyre also going to increase availability for consumers at home. We also have btop computer centers. Theyre located in schools, libraries, fire stations, a Commu