Richard L. Brandt, senior editor for Upside Today, has offered a proposal for a new era of corporate support for the underprivileged.

Brandt, who describes himself as a welfare child, writes that although tech companies have the unique opportunity to contribute to U.S. society by wiring schools to the Internet, corporations could bring about more significant social change simply through giving to help the poor.

"Why stop at computers?" Brandt asks. "Corporations could help pay to fix leaky roofs and bad plumbing. Executives, scientists and artists could visit needy schools, train teachers and inspire."

He also suggested such actions deserve federal tax breaks, such as the Clinton administration's proposal for $2.4 billion in cuts for corporations that donate technology to schools.

"(And) that is much better and efficient than paying extra taxes for the government to add Web-connected computers to schools," Brandt states.

While Brandt's argument that the best method for helping disadvantaged people is through inspiring youth, one software manufacturer is trying to help elderly and disabled people bridge the digital divide.

The Avant! corporation's new foundation has established a program that gives computers to some of the 54 million disabled Americans and senior citizens, with the hope technology will "vastly improve their quality of life" by joining the emerging cyberculture, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Mercury News article discusses a study released by Harris Interactive Inc. that finds only 18 percent of people more than 65 years old are online, and just 29 percent of adults with disabilities have Internet access. The newspaper suggests the numbers for these groups are low compared to other U.S. populations because most efforts to close the digital divide focus on children, families and schools and community centers.

While Avant!'s efforts are being criticized by some groups as being self-serving, the program is being helped by Jbliss Imaging Systems and iWare Inc., which are donating software for people with poor eyesight and simplified Internet browser software, respectively.

Avant! so far has wired 23 seniors citizens and four disabled people living in the Silicon Valley. The foundation plans to donate 500 more computers and computer training during the next five years.

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