Civilrights.org

Civil Rights Monitor

The CIVIL RIGHTS MONITOR is a quarterly publication that reports on civil rights issues pending before the three branches of government. The Monitor also provides a historical context within which to assess current civil rights issues. Back issues of the Monitor are available through this site. Browse or search the archives

Volume 2 Number 6

Digital Opportunity Partnership:

Civilrights.org

A Baseline Needs Assessment Survey * Technology Leadership Forums * Circuit Rider Partnership * Civilrights.org * Technology Assistance Forums * Digital Opportunity Public Service Announcement (PSA) Campaign * Communications and Technology Policy Initiative

The overriding theme of the Digital Opportunity Partnership is that ensuring that all segments of society are able to participate fully in the Digital Age cannot be accomplished by any one group acting by or for itself alone but only in a coordinated manner with various organizations working with and learning from each other.

Most civil rights organizations have very limited budgets, preventing them from making substantial investments in technology. While many civil rights organizations have web sites, these are best characterized as temporal sites, lacking customized, proprietary software applications.

The Digital Opportunity Partnership provides for the continued development of civilrights.org as the Internet arm of the civil rights movement, developing and delivering customized content aggregating and indexing services to the civil rights community.

In July of 2001, civilrights.org was re-launched with a new suite of Internet content/service applications that integrate seamlessly into the web sites of other civil rights organizations. Through these applications, civil rights organizations are empowered to contribute civil rights content and offer valuable services on their own site.

Among civilrights.org's new features are:

Civilrights.org Library -- a central content clearinghouse that allows civil rights activists to contribute and publish their press releases, alerts, reports, position papers, speeches, etc.;

Civilrights.org Content Streaming System -- a content syndication system that allows civil rights organizations to stream civilrights.org content to their web sites;

Civil Rights Press Room -- a directory dedicated to providing reporters with the latest civil rights policy information and expert opinion;

Civilrights.org Interactive Calendar -- a nationwide calendar that allows individuals to post social justice-related events taking place around the nation and send email notices notifying others of such events; and

Civil Rights Organization Directory -- a national directory of organizations working to advance social justice.

For more information about civilrights.org, contact Brian Komar at (202) 466-3311 or via email at komar@civilrights.org.