In the spring of 2001, the University of North Dakota (UND) in collaboration with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the US Postal Service launched a pilot program, placing computers with Internet access at senior citizens centers in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and provided training for the senior citizens. In addition, the University, under contract with SSA, conducted two statewide surveys regarding the types of online services desired by citizens and the perceptions of county officials regarding the technology proficiency of their county government and their current and planned technology initiatives. Survey results demonstrated a need for electronic government services for rural citizens.
U.S. Congressional funding has enabled UND to launch the Government Rural Outreach Initiative to make electronic government services accessible to rural residents and to study and develop the technologies needed to ensure secure transactions of private information. A grant was made available to UND from the General Services Administration to investigate how to expand secure electronic services. Phase One (2002 - 2003) has resulted in the establishment of an electronic forum for presenting and evaluating government eServices and providing training to rural citizens in fifteen rural communities. In addition, lessons learned are helping to shape the eGovernment marketplace and improve rural citizens' access to electronic government services.
As an advocate for rural, the Government Rural Outreach (GRO) Initiative will provide an ongoing Rural Citizens' Forum for the evaluation of and comment on electronic government services offerings. The initiative will identify barriers to access/usability/acceptance of electronic government services and recommend solutions, as well as inform rural communities through outreach and training.
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