Community Cyberspace - Internet Tools for Victims

Summary

Hundreds of individuals and families in Tohoku, originally living in more remote areas and displaced by 3-11, remain cut off from friends, family members and optimal healthcare by distance, enduring infrastructure damage, technological limitations and psychosocial issues. Community Cyberspace is an IMCRA-supported mobile initiative that brings the elderly and those not conversant with the web private electronic access to family, friends, teachers, counselors and healthcare providers.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Many people in Tohoku, heavily impacted by 3-11, continue to suffer from inadequate access to family, friends, cultural norms and professional services. Infrastructural loss as well as technological naivete have placed many in an unnecessarily bad situation which could be remedied by electronic access. (e.g. parents of children experiencing behavior problems are reluctant to discuss this face-to-face with professionals but would be more likely to use electronic media).

How will this project solve this problem?

Community Cyberspace is a mobile initiative that brings the elderly and those not yet comfortable with electronic media private electronic access to family, friends, teachers, cultural projects, counselors and healthcare providers. With 3 machines per 1 hour slot per family (~40 min av.) and 80% uptake, we anticipate 15-20 families served per operational day. At two-plus operational days per month we are projecting approximately 40 families served per month at all locations to start

Potential Long Term Impact

Long Term Impact of Community Cyberspace: 1. Decreased feelings of isolation and hopelessness 2. Improved mood and orientation through access to cultural projects, family and friends. 3. Improved childcare through private electronic access to teachers and counselors 4. Improved healthcare through private access to IMCRA faculty standing by for Community Cyberspace sessions 5. Increased familiarity with internet and electronic media use for the elderly and others

Project Message

"I think a lot of people miss their old way of life and will be eager to take advantage of this program"
- Tomoko Wakabayashi -, Kigyo Mecenat Kyogikai - IMCRA-DOJ partner org.

Resources

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