This is a legacy site, helping the reader to understand what Computer Access was, and what it achieved.
Computer Access evolved from Hackney Computer Access. When based in Hackney, it originally offered children and young people access to computers (then, the BBC Micro!) when otherwise deprived communities would miss out on these emerging technologies. Famous for its Summer Schools, it then evolved into a broader based not for profit organisation. Computer Access pioneered information and communications technologies before the web was invented. Indeed, it helped define the term ICT. It set up the Hackney Host in 1992, funded in part by Dalston City Partnership, using GeoNet software and then worked with PopTel on evolving this into a broad based email and web service for inner and east London and beyond. It followed the lead of the Manchester Host, becoming the first of its kind in London to focus on tackling need and deprivation using the medium of ICT.
Computer Access also pioneered the concept of an inner city broadband network, founding the East London and Lee (sic) Valley Teleregion. Moving to Newham, another inner city area of London UK, Computer Access continued to operate both locally, regionally and nationally. Our prime purpose was as a catalytic organisation to encourage community and economic regeneration through the medium of information communication technologies – using new technology to improve people's quality of life.
We prided ourselves on our track record and our independence. Once we had achieved our aims of opening access to ICT to a wider community, the voluntary Directors took the decision to transfer our assets to other community based organisations. Computer Access lives on now as a pioneer.
