Communications research and social science analysis are considered to have revealed several essential features in the communications environment of American citizens. The purpose of this article is to consider the way these features affect low-income members of society, particularly minorities living in urban areas. Communications networks in the U.S. are stated to be increasingly shaped by large-scale, highly organized systems in industry, government, education, and other social services. Within the networks, information is shared, problems are confronted, and policies are adopted which affect the lives of all citizens. Individuals and groups which do not have influence within the organizational communications networks will inevitably have unsatisfactory decisions imposed upon them. Since the poor are considered to be effectively excluded from centers of power and control, they do not participate in the communications networks. The poor are also said to be isolated from the important communications networks by a language barrier. It is held that researchers have found that the poor lack meaningful information and knowledge. Although the operation of communication networks attached to educational and social service organizations in low-income communities is considered open to question, it is asserted that opportunities for improving communications networks are many. (Author/JM)