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Community Technology

Selecting a Seattle Project or Projects

Proposed criteria for selecting projects for the Senior Technology Literacy and Access Project were developed by the staff and consultants working on this project. The list was presented at the Senior Advisory Forum, where participants were asked to indicate which criteria they believed were most important.


Criteria for Selection

The proposed criteria are listed below. Those items considered particularly important by the Forum participants are marked with an asterisk at the end of the item.

  • Enhances what already exists, rather than duplicating it or getting in the way of it.*
  • Serves seniors with low incomes.*
  • Serves seniors who currently have limited access to and knowledge about computers.*
  • Provides self-determination by seniors and a role for involvement of senior and other volunteers in shaping or administering the program/service.*
  • Increases resources to reach the short-term goals by attracting other funding or resources.*
  • Is consistent with the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens mission to develop, promote, and maintain programs that create a sense of community and strengthen people's ability to be self-reliant.*
  • Allows effective and appropriate use of City funding.
  • Meets the short-term goals for the Senior Literacy and Access Project.
  • Can be copied in the future without much additional work.
  • Is consistent with Seattle-King County Aging and Disability Services' policies, which include:
  • Targeting services to vulnerable elderly people and to individuals with the greatest social and economic needs (includes racial or ethnic minorities, low income, 75 years or older, limited-English speaking, and disabled).
  • Providing culturally appropriate services that include contracting with minority-owned agencies, hiring of bilingual/bicultural staff, and targeting outreach to minority communities.
  • Ensuring that program design, locations, and service delivery are responsive to the needs of special populations, including people who are physically, mentally and developmentally disabled, sensory impairments, sexual minorities, substance abusers, homeless, and people with AIDS.

Analysis of Options

To select recommended effective uses of the funds available to the Seattle Senior Technology Project, the information and research gathered was analyzed, sorted by the following topics:

    • Type of project
    • Desired target audience
    • Type of location
    • Purposes for seniors' use of technology
    • Encouraging or attracting seniors
    • Challenges and barriers to seniors' use of technology

In addition, a list of best practices for program design is included.

For each topic, the analysis is presented in the following format:

Input

(may include research, survey, Senior Advisory Forum)

Synthesis of the Input

Application of Criteria

Recommendations


Analysis: Type of Project

Input
(in order of highest preference / most commonly mentioned)

Research

Survey

Advisory Forum

  • Computer lab or learning centers where seniors can acquire the basic skills of using computers and the Internet.
  • Introduce computers as part of organized programs to which seniors are attracted, such as classes on retirement planning, literacy promotion, health, volunteer service training, and business training.

 

  • Equipment: Provide funding to programs to purchase equipment or software
  • Training and Assistance: Provide training on new methods or techniques to those already training seniors
  • Awareness: Create and distribute a directory of successful computer technology programs serving seniors
  • Training and Assistance: Offer assistance to organizations about how to develop useful and fun programs using technology
  • Awareness: Create and distribute directory of places where seniors have access to equipment and training
  • Equipment: Help low income seniors obtain computers
  • Training and Assistance: Provide training on new methods or techniques to those already training seniors
  • Training and Assistance: Funding for instruction
  • Equipment: Offer assistance to programs about what kind of computers to buy, best ways to hook up to the Internet, etc. Advocate for discounts for seniors.

Synthesis of Input

The choices offered in the survey and at the Advisory Forum all incorporated some type of capacity-building approach. They addressed ways to enhance the infrastructure (equipment, training, awareness, knowledge sharing) rather than direct programs.

No clear consensus emerged from the input received. Rather, a variety of options were supported and specific factors likely to increase the success of projects were defined. Both survey respondents and Forum participants offered strong support for projects that increased training and assistance and improved equipment at many locations. It appears that those asked believe that the City should look for investments that provide a resource to many new and existing technology access sites. They identified various types of technical assistance and help with equipment as some of the best ways to do this.

Forum participants were very clear that any project should include access to and use of the Internet as an essential component of enhancing technology literacy and access for seniors.

Application of Criteria

Any of the types of projects preferred by survey respondents and Forum participants could meet the proposed criteria, depending on the target audience and design of a particular project. On the other hand, none of the project types demonstrated an extraordinary application of the criteria. In order to further refine the type of project(s) to fund, it will necessary to consider other parameters of this analysis.

Recommendations

The Senior Project funds should be used to increase training/assistance and/or improve equipment at many locations. Based on specific input at the Forum, any project should include access to and use of the Internet as a component of enhancing technology literacy and access for seniors.


Analysis: Target Audience

Input

Research

Demographics

Existing Seattle Sites

  • Income and education are the most important variables in terms of computer ownership.
  • People of color, who tend to have lower incomes and educational levels, may be disadvantaged in their access to and use of computer technology.
  • A gender gap in usage of computer technology seems to be closing, although males are more likely than females to use computers and Internet services.
  • There is a significant age gap in Seattle between people over age 55 and the total population in their use of computers at home, at work, and at other locations.
  • In 1990, there were 116,643 people over age 55 in the city.
  • In 1990, 5,828 people over age 60 spoke English not well or not at all. Almost half of older people suffer from arthritis; of those 65 to 74, 26% and 7% respec-tively, have hearing & vision problems.
  • Sub-areas of Seattle with a high number of people 65+ and a high % of people 65+ in poverty are Northwest, West Seattle, First Hill/Capitol Hill/Madison Park, Northeast, Down-town, Ballard, & Southeast.
  • Sub-areas with a high percent of minority people age 60+ in 1980 were International, Central, Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, and South Central.
  • Neighborhood districts with the fewest sites available to seniors are Ballard, Northeast, Northwest, Delridge, Downtown, North, Lake Union, and Southwest.
  • Neighborhood districts with the fewest sites with senior specific programming are Ballard, Northwest, Capitol Hill, Northeast, Delridge, and Lake Union.

Synthesis of Input

In addition to reach seniors with low incomes, any use of the project funds should consider the extent to which it will reach people with limited English speaking ability and will serve those with fine motor, hearing, and vision impairments.

The following sub-areas of Seattle warrant attention based on one of the major goals of this project (reaching seniors with low incomes and / or little access to or knowledge about computers):

High # of People 65+ and High % 65+ in Poverty

High Percent of Minority People 60+ in 1980
(with closest equivalent 1990 sub-area)

Fewest Sites Available to Seniors

Fewest Sites with Senior Specific Programming

Northwest
West Seattle
First/Capitol Hills
Northeast
Downtown
Ballard
Southeast
International (Downtown)
Central (Central)
Beacon Hill (Duwamish)
Rainier Valley (Southeast and Duwamish)
South Central (Duwamish)
Ballard
Northeast
Northwest
Delridge
Downtown
North
Lake Union
Southwest
Ballard
Northwest
Capitol Hill
Northeast
Delridge
Lake Union

No sub-areas fall into levels of highest need in all four categories. The sub-areas that have a high number of people 65+ and a high percent 65+ in poverty and which have a high percent of minority elderly people or limited sites for seniors are:

Northwest, Northeast, Downtown, Ballard, West Seattle / Southwest / Delridge, First Hill / Capitol Hill, and Southeast. Minority populations over age 60, based on the information available, are largely concentrated in Downtown, Central, and Southeast.

Application of Criteria

The proposed criteria call for reaching low income seniors, seniors who currently have limited access to and knowledge about computers, and other sub-populations. In many cases these are the same people; in some cases the people who fall in each category are different. One example is the Central Area, which has a high number of people age 65 or older yet also has the highest number of known technology sites with access to seniors and senior specific programming.

If the Citizens Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Board determined that one target audience was of higher priority than others, the demographic information available could help identify how to best reach that group or groups.

Recommendations

Projects should serve some or all of the six sub-areas (Northwest, Northeast, Downtown, Ballard, West Seattle / Southwest / Delridge, First Hill / Capitol Hill, and Southeast) which have a high number of people 65+ and a high percent 65+ in poverty and which also have a high percent of minority people or limited sites for seniors. Although projects may serve other areas as well, emphasis should be placed on serving sub-areas that meet these parameters.

Analysis: Type of Location

Input

Survey

Forum

Gave a low rating to the idea of "in seniors' own homes" as an option for increasing the percentage of seniors whom has computer access and literacy. Were not asked to compare this option to other settings.

When asked about the distribution of resources, ranked the choices in the following order:

  1. Offer more senior-focused program at existing sites
  2. Improve equipment at existing sites
  3. Increase number of sites
When asked where is the best place for seniors to have access to computers, ranked the choices in the following order:
  1. In their homes
  2. At senior only programs
  3. At general community locations

When asked about the distribution of resources, ranked the choices in the following order:

  1. Increase number of sites
  2. Improve equipment at existing sites
  3. Offer more senior-focused program at existing sites

Synthesis of Input

Those responding to the survey and those at the Advisory Forum had widely differing views on the distribution of resources. The input on the type of location (home, senior center, general community center) may reflect the belief that although it would be best for seniors to have computers in their homes, it is not a cost-effective way to increase the percentage of seniors who have computer access and literacy.

As some equipment options become more affordable (Web access through television; simplified, low cost computers, etc.) this view may change. In the meantime, it appears that. The choice of type of location may depend on other aspects of the proposed projects.

Application of Criteria

The proposed criteria include consideration of enhancing or raising the standards of what already exists and of addressing the goal to encourage seniors and those of other ages to work together. These criteria would suggest leaning toward projects at existing sites and those at general community locations. However, input is mixed on this component and criteria related to target population would lean toward creating new sites.

Recommendations

Projects at any type of location (home, senior centers, general community centers) will have some value and have some support from those who offered input. There is no clear choice of type of location.


Analysis: Purposes for Seniors' Use of Technology

Input (areas of highest use / benefit)

Research

Survey

Advisory Forum

  • Communication (correspondence, e-mail, newsgroups, chatting)
  • Access to information and resources
  • Financial analysis, record-keeping
  • Entertainment / games
  • Organize information through databases
  • Desktop and Web publishing
  • Audio and video conferencing
  • Self improvement
  • Access to information and resources
  • Record family history/
    cultural heritage
  • Communication
  • Financial information and record-keeping
  • Entertainment
  • Improve motor skills
  • Connect with young people
  • Communication
  • Access to information and resources
  • Self improvement
  • Relaxation / enjoyment/
    hobbies
  • Earn income
  • Overcome limitations/
    address special needs

Synthesis of Input

Seniors are using technology and computers for much the same purposes as other users. Seniors use a variety of applications, with no one or two that stand out.

As noted earlier, participants at the Forum felt very strongly that the ability to use the Internet is essential to seniors' increased technology literacy and access.

Application of Criteria

The proposed criteria indicate a preference for projects that build a dialogue about seniors and computers; encourage senior groups to work together; and encourage seniors and those of other ages to work together. Applications such as chatting and intergenerational e-mail relationships are examples of ways to fulfill these criteria.

The proposed criteria include a desire to create a sense of community for seniors and to strengthen their ability to be self-reliant. Applications such as communication through e-mail and chatting help provide a sense of community. Uses which lead to self improve-ment, access to information and resources, earning income, and overcome fine motor or other limitations help seniors remain self-reliant.

The proposed criteria also address providing services to seniors with the greatest social and economic needs and ensuring the program design is culturally appropriate and addresses the needs of special populations. These criteria call for applications that reduce isolation, alleviate economic needs, maintain and enhance culture and heritage, and accommodate special needs (larger keyboards, large monitor, and adaptations for sounds, applications in various languages).

Recommendations

Projects would ideally lead to seniors' learning and using a wide variety of applications for a wide variety of purposes. Within that broad spectrum, however, projects should place special emphasis on projects which build a dialogue around seniors and computers, encourage seniors and those of other ages to work together, create a sense of community for seniors, strengthen the ability of seniors to be self-reliant, maintain and enhance culture and heritage, and help overcome physical limitations and other special needs. These purposes are consistent with the City's overall role and place priority on issues that may receive limited attention from others.


Analysis: Encouraging and Attracting Seniors

Input (factors most likely to encourage or attract)

Research

Survey

Advisory Forum

  • Open new horizons
  • Make tasks easier
  • Facilitate communication
  • Word of mouth from same-age friends
  • User-friendly lab set-ups and easy to comprehend menus
  • Senior instructors
  • One-on-one instruction
  • Continuing support after a class
  • Personal motivation (curiosity, wanting to know more)
  • Entertainment, novelty
  • Desire to feel connected to other people
  • Offers an easy way to do work/tasks
  • Small classes in neighborhood, taught by older people
  • Free or low cost training
  • Flexible class set-up and curriculum
  • Personal motivation (need technology for specific task; encouraged by peers, family, children, or grandchildren, desire to be up-to-date)
  • Easy way to learn (free or low cost training, convenient time and location for training, classes geared for seniors, being given a computer)

Synthesis of Input

Input from all three sources is very consistent. Many of the factors that encourage seniors to use computers are internal. In many cases, seniors will be self-motivated because of a general desire to know more or because they perceive that technology will allow them to do some of their tasks easier and more quickly. The desire to be connected with other people also appears to be a strong motivator.

Other factors attracting seniors to learn about and use computers are external – they can be tailored to what works best for seniors. These factors revolve around the cost, location, staffing, and teaching approach for training. Seniors have strong prefer-ences about what works well for them (senior instructors, low cost, nearby location, personal assistance, space and equipment that respond to specific needs of seniors).

Application of Criteria

The input received will be helpful in devising strategies to meet the criteria of reaching seniors who currently have little access to or knowledge about computers. This information can be used to shape outreach and marketing strategies for all seniors.

Recommendations

All projects should address and incorporate outreach and marketing approaches which specifically address both the internal (desire to know more, do existing tasks more quickly, be connected with other people) and external (senior instructors, low cost, nearby location, personal assistance, programs designed specifically for seniors) factors which encourage and enable seniors to learn about and use computer technology.


Analysis: Challenges / Barriers to
Seniors' Use of Technology

Input

Research

Survey

  • Fear of the unknown, fear of damaging the equipment.
  • Reluctance to try.
  • Fear of and/or indignant to technology of any kind.
  • Lack of adaptations for impairments such as poor vision, hearing, and ability to grip, operate or make fine movements.
  • Prohibitive cost of purchasing hardware and software.
  • Lack of transportation and/or mobility to get to access and training sites.
  • Lack of one-on-one training.
  • Difficulty driving to classes at night when volunteer instructors are available.
  • Small size of icons, keyboards, and monitors.
  • Fear of something new, fear of failure, fear of breaking the machine.
  • High cost of classes and equipment.
  • Intimidation of salespeople when shopping for computers.
  • Difficulty of learning to use the keyboard, developing typing skills.

Synthesis of Input

Input from research and the survey is very consistent in identifying barriers to seniors' use of technology. Programs must be aware of and seek to overcome fears and must offer adaptations of equipment and scheduling that work for seniors. The high cost of equipment and difficulty traveling to a learning site are more difficult barriers to overcome.

Application of Criteria

As with input on factors that attract seniors to learn and use computers, this information will be helpful in devising strategies to meet the criteria of reaching seniors whom currently have little access to or knowledge about computers. It can be used to shape outreach and marketing strategies for those seniors, as well as all seniors.

Recommendations

All projects should address ways that they will help overcome the barriers to seniors' use of computer technology. In many cases, it will be important to begin with basic skills such as typing and understanding a computer. Instructors should anticipate and address fears. Programs should strive to be affordable and to provide adaptations for visual, hearing, or physical impairments.


Best Practices for Program Design

In collecting information for this project, a number of best practice ideas for programs and services helping seniors learn about and apply technology were uncovered. Those practices (some of which are addressed in the preceding analysis) are presented here in order to capture concepts that could strengthen new and existing programs.

Awareness / Motivation / Marketing

  • Seniors will accept and use tools that help them achieve their personal goals; they need to see how technology does this.
  • Locate programs within a facility or service that seniors are already using (assisted living facility, senior center, or museum).
  • Use technology as a tool to achieve a program's focus, rather than being the focus itself.

Equipment

  • Consider how laptop computers can address barriers.
  • Seek discounts of equipment and services from manufacturers.

Training and Assistance

  • Encourage volunteer trainers to team with paid staff; effective and helps attract other funding/resources.
  • Consider opportunities for seniors to produce information, not just consume it.
  • Facilitate connections between learning centers and the home, so that seniors can continue their studies via a home-based connection.
  • Group people with like interests, such as finances or genealogy.
  • Identify seniors who can provide leadership, teaching, and outreach.

Capacity Building

  • Build a dialogue that keeps informing next steps and circulating new ideas.
  • Encourage collaboration—encouraging senior groups and seniors and others with similar goals to work together to share resources and ideas.
  • Use the growing interest in seniors as a market as a way to obtain equipment, Internet services, and training from industry sources.
  • Seek funding from federal and state sources to obtain equipment that provides seniors with information relevant to specific federal or state programs.
  • Engage in reciprocal arrangements with other organizations, such as getting free space and use of computers in exchange for providing tutoring or office assistance.

Recommendations

Proposals for use of City funds should address how they will incorporate and remain current about best practices, both those identified in this report and others relevant to the proposed project.


Summary of Recommendations

In gathering information, reviewing research, and hearing from people in Seattle involved in seniors' interest in technology literacy and access, no specific project, type of project, or provider stood out as a clear choice. Rather, a variety of options were supported and specific factors likely to increase the success of projects were defined.

Therefore, it seems that for most projects, the City of Seattle will be best served by issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects. The RFP should specify which components are required and which are desirable, but optional.

The recommendations from each element analyzed above are
summarized below:

Type of Project

The Senior Project funds should be used to increase training/assistance and/or improve equipment at many locations. Based on specific input at the Forum, any project should include access to and use of the Internet as a component of enhancing technology literacy and access for seniors.

Target Audience

Projects should serve some or all of the six sub-areas (Northwest, Northeast, Downtown, Ballard, West Seattle / Southwest / Delridge, First Hill / Capitol Hill, and Southeast) which have a high number of people 65+ and a high percent 65+ in poverty and which also have a high percent of minority people or limited sites for seniors . Although projects may serve other areas as well, emphasis should be placed on serving sub-areas that meet these parameters.

Type of Location

Projects at any type of location (home, senior centers, general community centers) will have some value and have some support from those who offered input. There is no clear choice of type of location.

Purposes for Seniors' Use of Technology

Projects would ideally lead to seniors' learning and using a wide variety of applications for a wide variety of purposes. Within that broad spectrum, however, projects should place special emphasis on projects which build a dialogue around seniors and computers, encourage seniors and those of other ages to work together, create a sense of community for seniors, strengthen the ability of seniors to be self-reliant, maintain and enhance culture and heritage, and help overcome physical limitations and other special needs. These purposes are consistent with the City's overall role and place priority on issues that may receive limited attention from others.

Encouraging and Attracting Seniors

All projects should address and incorporate outreach and marketing approaches which specifically address both the internal (desire to know more, do existing tasks more quickly, be connected with other people) and external (senior instructors, low cost, nearby location, personal assistance, programs designed specifically for seniors) factors which encourage and enable seniors to learn about and use computer technology.

Challenges / Barriers to Seniors' Use of Technology

All projects should address ways that they will help overcome the barriers to seniors' use of computer technology. In many cases, it will be important to begin with basic skills such as typing and understanding a computer. Instructors should anticipate and address fears. Programs should strive to be affordable and to provide adaptations for visual, hearing, or physical impairments.

Best Practices for Program Design

Proposals for use of City funds should address how they will incorporate and remain current about best practices, both those identified in this report and others relevant to the proposed project.

Observations about Recommendations
from All Elements

The picture that emerges from the analysis and recommendations of all of the elements above is one of needing some type of effort that can serve as a catalyst and resource for the variety of existing needs and those which will undoubtedly unfold as the technology explosion continues. The reasons behind the emergence of this picture seem to be:

  • Many of the issues analyzed are interrelated; addressing isolated pieces of a program or service is unlikely to be helpful. An effective program or service will need to consider every aspect of its design, from location to hours to type of equipment to staffing to marketing and outreach to adaptations for those with physical limitations.
  • The fast pace of change in the technology arena requires ongoing learning; solutions that work today may be replaced by cheaper, easier (or more complex) solutions tomorrow.
  • Having a means for information exchange will increase the speed and quality of learning; in a field this new, much of the learning comes from trial and error by those in hands-on situations rather than from research or academic studies.

Proposed Projects Based on Recommendations

Based on the information and research gathered, the input received, and the synthesis and recommendations above, staff of the Seattle Executive Services Department Technology Division, Michael Kern of Madrona Resource Associates, and Nancy Ashley developed some specific project options for consideration by the Citizens Technology and Telecommunications Advisory Board.

The options can be accomplished in three different ways:

  1. Use of existing resources, by the City and others
  2. Allocation of Senior Technology Project funds
  3. Application to the Technology Matching Fund

In most cases, allocation of Senior Technology Project funds would be most effective through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. This process will allow any person or organization with ideas on how to achieve the desired result to come forward with their plan. It will also allow an objective process for selecting the most qualified proposer.

Project options are described on the following pages, in a table that indicates how they would be accomplished and which also provides some additional information that may be relevant in the final selection process.

Proposed Projects

Project and
Description

Extent to Which Meets Criteria, Including Project Goals

How Funded

Est.
Cost

Feasible
in 1998?

Requires Ongoing Funding?

1. Senior Technology Directory: Create and distribute a directory of places where seniors have access to computers and the Internet and where they can receive technology training and assistance. Good overall; little to no effect on increased capacity Existing technology map funds $5,000 - $7,000 Yes Some, would need to update
2. Training Senior Trainers: Recruit seniors from underserved populations to attend a "senior technology training institute" where participants would learn a variety of computer skills, including Internet uses such as e-mail and chat groups. Each participant would agree to provide a specified number of hours of training to other seniors from underserved populations. Excellent overall; significant effect on increased capacity, reaching underserved populations, and providing leadership role for seniors Request for Proposals $15,000 - $20,000 to recruit for & deliver the training institute

 

Yes, if process moves quickly No
3. Provide Technical Assistance to Enhance Existing Technology Sites for Seniors: Provide 6-10 hours of technical assistance to sites that currently serve or want to serve seniors. Assistance would be provided in areas of program design, equipment selection and architecture, grantwriting and community involvement / volunteer development. Priority would be given to sites reaching or trying to reach target populations. Good overall; modest effect on increased capacity, limited leadership by seniors Request for Proposals; some assistance from existing City efforts $18,000 to $35,000, depending on the number of sites requesting assistance Yes, if process moves quickly No
4. Create a
Purchasing Cooperative:
Organize individuals and programs willing to solicit donors or discounted pricing for equipment and services to programs serving seniors and for individual (low-income) seniors . Important components to include would be computers, modems, software, Internet service, and individual
e-mail
accounts.
Good overall; medium effect on increased capacity; unlikely to reach low income seniors who could not afford even discounted equipment and services Request for Proposals to organize; advocacy by existing grouby existing groups and policy-makers $5,000 to $12,000 in staff or consultant time to organize advocacy and set up eligibility system Not certain, depends on pace of organization, advocacy, response Some, would need to maintain contacts and eligibility system
5. Provide Equipment and Internet Connections: Purchase computers, hardware upgrades, modems, and software to enhance existing sites that provide technology access and training to seniors. Provide funding for initial telephone and other costs to obtain Internet services. Priority would be given to sites reaching or trying to reach target populations. Good overall; immediate direct service project; limited effect on increased capacity; limited leadership by seniors City could administer or Request for Proposals to manage; Projects may also be eligible for Technology Matching Fund Any amount from $10,000 to $35,000 Yes Sites would need to demon-strate ability to pay for ongoing telephone & Internet fees
6. Provide Increased or Enhanced Staffing: Pay for short-term staffing increases or enhancements at existing sites to offer specific classes or programs. Priority would be given to sites reaching or trying to reach target populations and to those who would use this opportunity to increase ongoing capacity (for example, by training more volunteer trainers). Good overall; immediate direct service project; limited effect on increased capacity; limited leadership by seniors Request for Proposals
process;
Projects may also be eligible for Technology Matching Fund
Any amount from $10,000 to $35,000 Yes No

For any of these options, the scope should be tailored to:

  • Fit the resources available.
  • Select elements that can be achieved in 1998 and leave a positive impact even if no further funding is available.
  • Give priority to some or all of the six sub-areas of the City (Northwest, Northeast, Downtown, Ballard, West Seattle/Southwest/Delridge, First Hill/Capitol Hill, and Southeast) which best meet the criteria for target audience.
  • Give priority to target audiences within the selected sub-areas.
  • Increase access for people with physical impairments, such a vision or hearing losses, inability to grip, limited fine motor skills, etc.
  • Ensure that services are culturally competent and relevant.
  • Document learnings and make them easily available to others.

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