research-article

Homeless young people's experiences with information systems: life and work in a community technology center

Authors:

Jill Palzkill Woelfer,

David G. HendryAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '10: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Pages 1291 - 1300

https://doi.org/10.1145/1753326.1753520

Published: 10 April 2010 Publication History

Abstract

This paper explores how homeless young people, aged 13-25, make use of information systems in daily life. Observed in a community technology center, four different examples of uses are described: i) Using digital tools to find employment, ii) Telling stories with representations of the built world, iii) Portraying life on the street with video, and iv) Constructing online identities. From these examples and a discussion of this community, a framework of ecological considerations is proposed. This framework distinguishes between elements of 'life' on the street (Self-Reliance, Vulnerability, and Basic Needs) and 'work' in the community technology center (Conformity, Youth-Adult Relationships, and Goals). Any information system for homeless young people must engage the tensions and opportunities that arise from these two different perspectives of homelessness.

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Homeless young people's experiences with information systems: life and work in a community technology center
1. Social and professional topics

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '10: Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

April 2010

2690 pages

ISBN:9781605589299

DOI:10.1145/1753326

General Chair:
Elizabeth Mynatt
Georgia Institute of Technology
,
Program Chairs:
Geraldine Fitzpatrick
Vienna University of Technology
,
Scott Hudson
Carnegie Mellon University
,
Keith Edwards
Georgia Tech
,
Tom Rodden
University of Nottingham

Copyright © 2010 ACM.

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Published: 10 April 2010

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Wani AJoshi ISingh P(2024)Navigating the Job-Seeking Journey: Challenges and Opportunities for Digital Employment Support in KashmirProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36373758:CSCW1(1-28)Online publication date: 26-Apr-2024
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