Our work with El Tímpano

Apr 1

California conducted a Statewide Digital Equity Survey to better understand why certain “covered populations” are more likely to lack access to home internet. The draft report identified “individuals with a language barrier” (see page 15) as the least connected amongst all Californians and then concluded that the main barrier preventing access was “Mistrust of government and corporations.”

#OaklandUndivided knows there is more to the story, so we partnered with El Tímpano to survey Oakland residents in English learner households about their internet access.

In the more than 70 insightful responses we received, not a single person named mistrust of government and corporations as a barrier. Click here to read their responses.

MESSAGE TO COMMUNITY FROM EL TÍMPANO:
Hello, I'm Vanessa from El Tímpano with a message from Oakland Divided, a civic organization and social organization that works to ensure that Oakland public school students have access to computers, Internet and technical support. The government is trying to understand why many non-native English speakers (English Learners) do not have access to the Internet at home. We would like to know your opinion on this topic to share it with Legislators.

Tell us, is it difficult for you to connect to the Internet? If so, why?
If you respond before January 23rd, you will be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 $25 Target gift cards.

COMMUNITY RESPONSES

“Yo no tengo internet en mi casa”

I don’t have internet at home.

“Estoy de acuerdo con esa herramienta muy fundamental , soy Latina habla española y ayudaría mucho a como padre de familia poder desarrollar y desenvolverse a los niños en la lengua inglesa y en las escuelas hay muchas reuniones virtuales en las cuales muchas veces nos desentendemos por falta de internet y herramientas”

“I agree with this very fundamental tool, I am a Latina who speaks Spanish and it would help a lot as a parent to be able to develop and function with children in the English language and in schools there are many virtual meetings in which we often disengage due to lack of internet and tools”

“Cuesta mucho tener internet que sirve y es barato. El internet más barato no sirve bien.”

It’s hard to find internet that is cheap and performs well. The cheapest internet does not work well.

“Hola buenas tardes , si sería muy vien para todos si para muchos Qe no tenemos internet y no podemos pagarlo nos ayudaría mucho gracias”

Hello, good afternoon, it would be really helpful to obtain help paying for internet because many of us cannot afford it.

“Para mi es difícil conseguir internet o una computadora por que es muy caro”

“It is difficult for me to get internet or a computer because it is very expensive”

“Hola pues deberían de poner free internet x casa ciudad x q es bastante caro. Tenerlo en velocidad alta y solo así se puede conectar uno con papeleos tareas y otras cosas eso es lo q deberían hacer los legisladores tener internet free en cada ciudad I condado x q los legisladores gastan en otras cosas más q ni son productivas y asqueado en este caso todos los es planted se beneficiarían eso es mi opinión”

Hello, I think that the Internet should be provided in every household in the city because it is expensive. This way people can connect with work, complete tasks, and do other things online. I believe that legislators should prioritize providing free internet to the citizens instead of spending money on unproductive things. This would benefit everyone and that is my opinion

“Hola ! Yo tengo internet por parte del programa de las escuelas es económico pero muchas veces es un poco lento para que mis hijos agan su tarea en la computadora, pero pues el sueldo no alcanza para más.”

“Hello! I have internet through the school program. It’s cheap, but sometimes too slow for my children to do their homework on the computer. With our salary, we can’t afford to get faster Internet”

“Si es difícil. Cuando el internet es muy bajo. Los niños a veces les cuesta conectarse. Es muy despacio”

Yes, it's hard when the internet connection is poor. The kids have a hard time connecting. It's very slow

“Es un poco difícil acceder al internet por los altos costos.”

It is a bit difficult to access the internet due to the high costs

“Si Es dificil No tengo internet solo agarro internet xq aveces me comparten”

Yes, it’s difficult. I don’t have internet. I am only able to access the internet when someone shares it with me.

“Si por que es muy difícil pagar los servicios de internet”

Yes, because it is very difficult to pay for internet services

“Yo no tengo acceso a internet y fuera bueno”

I don’t have access to internet and it would be good to have it.

“Pues aveces no tienen acceso al Internet porque esta caro para poder obtenerlo en casa y solo lo tienen cuando buscan en una librería”

Well, sometimes they don't have access to the Internet because it is expensive to get it at home and they only have it when they search in a library

“Si es dificil”

Yes, it’s difficult

“Hola si yo pago por el internet la verdad pienso que muchas personas no preguntamos ni nos informamos acerca de eso por que nos da pena preguntar y se los hace más fácil no tener o pagar”

Hi, yes, I pay for internet. I honestly think that many people don’t ask or get informed about it because it’s embarrasing to ask and it’s just easier not to have it or to just pay for it.

“…Respecto al internet tengo en mi teléfono pero es demasiado lento y donde vivo es abajo de unos departamentos. Ahí la señal es imposible que entre…”

In regards to internet, I have it on my phone but it’s extremely slow and I live underneath some apartments. It’s impossible for signal to enter.

“No me llevo bien con la tecnología”

I don’t get along with technology

“Hola es difícil cuando nosotros cómo padres no tenemos conocimiento del idioma y de cosas de computadora. Nuestros hijos si son grandes tal ves nos ayuden pero qué pasa cuando nuestros hijos son pequeños? No es fácil tener la información en nuestro idioma.”

“Hello, it can be challenging as a parent when we lack knowledge of a language or computer skills. Although older children may be able to assist us, it can be difficult when our children are still young. It's not always easy to find information in our native language.”

“Aveces los niños no tienen computadoras en casa y aveces les cuesta mucho leer libros pero d leer día a día ya sea en computadora o en libros ayudará”

“Sometimes children don't have computers at home and sometimes it is very difficult for them to read books, but reading every day, whether on the computer or in books, will help.”

“El Internet es muy caro para pagar.”

“Internet is very expensive to pay for.”

ABOUT EL TÍMPANO
Since 2017, El Tímpano has led participatory research on the information needs of Oakland’s and wider Bay Area’s Spanish-speaking residents, launched accessible channels to reach Latino and Mayan immigrants with timely information, and established a reputation as a trusted source for local news. In addition to original participatory reporting, El Tímpano partners with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and others to ensure that vital information reaches Spanish and Mam-speaking residents and that their voices are heard by public servants and community leaders.

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