TARA provides and promotes information and communications technology (ICT) resources to the community through public access and free training to help residents enhance their knowledge and skills. TARA's work supports the implementation of Austin's Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan. It's a dynamic plan that uses community assets to overcome barriers and to increase resident participation in our digital society. A periodic assessment of residential technology use is also conducted to measure the progress of inclusion activities.
Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs):
The Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) was created to improve the community's ability to fully participate in the digital society. GTOPs offers four separate award pathways for organizations to apply for funding or devices.
Learn more about the program and consider applying
Digital Empowerment Community:
The Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA) is a network of dedicated non-profits, educational institutions and other stakeholders working to improve our community's ability to participate in digital society.
Community Technology Access Labs & Digital Literacy Training:
TARA oversees a contract with Austin Free-Net, a local non-profit organization to manage the City of Austin's public access computer and technology labs and deliver digital literacy training services.
Locate computer and technology labs as well as trainings.
Public Access Television:
TARA oversees the City’s Public Access Television channels and community media center through a contract with the Austin Film Society (AFS). AFS uses the City’s public access television and community media center to provide media production training, access to media production technology and facilities that includes multiple ways to air or stream the content created by Austin residents.
Visit the Austin Film Society website or if you're cable television subscriber, enjoy local programming.
Technology Access Services:
TARA provides devices and software to nonprofits and individuals who demonstrate a need through our virtual reality lending library program.