Our study recognizes the Latino community as a vital rather than geographic, segment of our 4Rivers Region. Asistencia Para Latinos, a non-profit community outreach program with offices in Glenwood Springs, estimates a Latino community population of about 15,000. Most adults work in the service sector and construction field. It is vital that all residents in our communities enjoy equal telecom access, regardless of age, gender or ethnic background.
Computer illiteracy is a major factor.
A cultural gap exists between Latinos and Anglos in our communities regarding computer use, telecommunications, and their perceived benefits. This computer illiteracy and cultural gap may be attributed in part to the fact that many of the adults who have migrated to our region from rural communities in Mexico and other Latin American countries for economic opportunity may not have received advanced education or exposure to this technology before. This indicates a great potential interest and motivation within the Latino community when opportunity exists. Latino children may use computers in school, but most have no computer at home on which to do homework assignments. Homework will soon be coming on three-inch floppy diskettes.