
Close to 40 community groups in the ACT will receive a share of $478,000 towards technology upgrades as the territory government aims to improve digital access across Canberra.
The ACT government's technology upgrade fund will deliver upgrades such as new mobile phones and computers to community groups.
Among the recipients are the Canberra Blind Society, which will receive $22,000 for a new braille embossing machine.
Havelock House will receive almost $20,000 for eight new computers and three surface pros and Lifeline will get $17,000 to upgrade computer hardware.
ACT assistant community services minister Emma Davidson said she believed the grants would help to better support digital capacity across the community sector.
The fund was a commitment in the Labor-Greens power-sharing agreement and Ms Davidson said the grants would strengthen Canberra's community sector.
"The technology upgrade fund addresses the digital equity gap, widened by the global pandemic, for at risk groups in our community such as older Canberrans, people with a disability and people with health conditions," she said.
"It's important we identify ways to support our community sector, and the Canberrans they assist, to create a more engaged, inclusive and empowered city."
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Communities@Work will receive more than $14,000 for new printers and mobile phones.
"This grant will allow us to establish a range of ways of accessing technology through our community pantries in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin," Communities@Work director of social programs and volunteering Ruth Zanker said.
"Having more resources will allow us to educate and build confidence in clients and ensure that technology is not a barrier to accessing services that are vital from them.
"We will be able to purchase printers and PCs to allow for the expansion of services at our community pantries."