Through a "hands-on" display at the conference, we are planning to introduce women to the hardware and the software in a non-threatening situation. They will be encouraged to ask questions and to use the equipment. In this way, we can bring together the manufacturers, the distributors, and women consumers and users, and give them an opportunity to communicate. In addition, we plan to have instructional lectures explaining the terminology and outlining the configuration of a simple micro-computer.

The second objective of the conference is to identify and analyze vital issues concerning women and the impact of microtechnology. For this conference, the issues are being defined by women and will be examined from women's points of view. Five key issue areas have been identified: training and retraining; changing employment patterns; safety and health; information access and control; education.

Research on these topics has been limited, and the dissemination of information has been unsystematic. Throughout the planning of this conference, these research limitations have been noted, and it is hoped that research on specific topics, which have not yet been explored, can be commissioned for presentation at this gathering.¹ Also, background research papers, bibliographies, and definitions of computer terminology will be collected and distributed in the information kits that each conference participant will receive.

The third objective is to develop both individual and collective strategies for dealing with the impact of technology. On the individual level, women will be able to examine options for the future in terms of personal goals, education opportunities and possible career paths. On the collective level, women will be able to make suggestions and recommendations on issue areas, so as to influence policy-makers, educators, industry and managers. These recommendations will then be transmitted to policy-makers et al., through either the cosponsoring groups, or an ad hoc structure, depending on the consensus of the conference attendees and the major groups involved."²

¹ Lack of funds and time made it impossible to pursue this project.

²See Sunday Plenary for list of recommendations and commitments. Ref.: "A Conference Proposal For: THE FUTURE IS NOW: WOMEN AND THE IMPACT OF MICROTECHNOLOGY,"' submitted to funding agencies by the Women and Technology Committee, March 1982.