Contents 1 Homeless Mobility Assistance Program 2 Overview 3 Project Scope 4 To Do's 5 Next Meeting Notes

[edit] Homeless Mobility Assistance Program

[edit] Overview

We met and discussed an idea regarding working with a homeless shelter to distribute recycled cell phones to those less fortunate. The cell phones would become the communication vehicles for those without conventional communication tools. Information that may be of relevance to the homeless include meal availability, shelter information sessions, shelter vacancies, church sessions, counseling information, etc. An example is the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homelessand its Street Card (left frame). This is a text document given to homeless persons so they know what resources are available to them; an electronic device with hours, availability, contact information, etc, may be beneficial.

[edit] Project Scope

As a part of this project, the Kelvin Smith Library of Case Western Reserve University would collaborate with an agency such as The City Mission of Cleveland (Would talk to NEO Coalition for the Homeless before targeting a specific agency; when I worked with NEOCH, the City Mission did not play well with others).

The Kelvin Smith Library would work toward creation of a graphical user interface that caters to illiteracy and universal symbolism.

[edit] To Do's

1. Negotiate a contract with an existing cell phone company to carry data traffic for free/low cost for homeless.
2. Create a donation program for the community to donate old cell phones that are capable of carrying data traffic and running KSL created software.
3. Build graphical interface (GUI) that is intuitive, easy to use, and graphic driven to facilitate use with those that are illiterate or do not speak English.
4. Integrate interface with mapping functionality that shows people how to locate destinations such as shelters, soup kitchens, and churches.

[edit] Next Meeting Notes

We will meet in January to discuss and flesh out these ideas further. Agenda will consist of:

1. Document project plan and thoroughly describe objectives
2. Seek grant finding funding sources
3. Create a deliverable that can be distributed by Nancy for donations
4. Discuss results of meeting with MSASS regarding collaboration

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Members:

• Nathan J Lambert
• Timothy D Robson
• Joanne Eustis
• Nicholas S Fischio
• Thomas W Hayes
• Karen A Oye
• Ann L Vander Schrier
• Earnestine Adeyemon
• Sam Liberman