It’s an exciting time we live in when you think about it. Technology has really progressed since the days when speaking on the telephone was considered revolutionary. In modern times, picking up the telephone is far from a novelty. We are living in an age where streaming, surfing and sharing our life over the internet is standard.

While the internet has opened up extraordinary opportunities for many people, there is another side. For those who can’t afford to stay connected in this digital era, the gap between the haves and the have nots can be huge. This is why the term Everyone Connected is so important, and why Telstra is committed to supporting organisations across Australia that promote Digital Inclusion.

Digital inclusion is about ensuring all Australians can enjoy the everyday benefits of being connected to modern communication technologies – irrespective of age, income, ability, location or disadvantage. Telstra’s Everyone Connected programs are designed to assist disadvantaged Australians connect to the internet, build their online skills and promote cyber safety.

The Telstra Foundation has a long and proud history of connecting Australian children and young people with their communities and each other. Over the past 10 years, we have committed over $40 million to almost 7000 projects, and this funding has delivered some fantastic results.

For the Napranum Parents and Learning Group (PaL), Telstra Foundation funding is enabling them to deliver an education program in Indigenous communities across Australia (predominantly in Cape York, Queensland and the Kimberley in Western Australia). Local community members visit homes armed with internet enabled tablets and teach parents and their children about early learning and development. This fosters a healthy learning environment and helps get kids excited for the school journey.

To mark our 10th anniversary, we are extending our support to another one hundred organisations with the announcement of the $1 million Telstra Foundation Everyone Connected grants program. One hundred $10,000 grants are available to local community organisations to support activities that help enhance Digital Inclusion. These projects can range from equipping parents with the skills they need to keep their children safe online, to providing computer labs and lessons to help young Australians find their way online.

We know that some groups in our communities are less likely to have access to modern communications technologies, and the social and economic benefits they bring. Lack of access to technology and socio-economic disadvantage are now inextricably linked. We are excited by the potential of these grants to improve connections in local communities right across Australia.

So please spread the word. If you are part of an organisation or know of an organisation that would benefit from a grant, we encourage you to get online and apply.

Each year, Telstra helps millions of Australians establish a connection or stay connected through Telstra Foundation grants, the Telstra Indigenous Directorate and the Access for Everyone and Connected Seniors programs.

Everyone Connected infographic

Please do check out the Everyone Connected infographic on Visual.ly