The problem of the digital divide was first identified in the 1990s, when the majority of low-income households lacked any sort of computer access. Today, the explosive growth of mobile devices and wireless technology has reframed the conversation to one concerned with the quality of access provided, information literacy, and technological parity for young people. We'll examine the ways in which your nonprofit can leverage software and mobile technologies to address these challenges, with a special focus on advocating for digital inclusion for children with disabilities.
From Digital Divide to Digital Inclusion: Technology as an Equalizing Force-Idealware
1. From Digital Divide to Digital Inclusion:
Technology as an Equalizing Force
#13NTCequal
Elizabeth Pope, Idealware
Andrea Berry, Idealware
Sharman Davis Barrett, PACER Center
Jonathan Campbell, PACER Center
5. What is The Digital Divide?
The “Digital Divide” refers to the gap between individuals
and communities who have access to information technology,
and those that do not.
Source: http://www.ted.com/talks/aleph_molinari_let_s_bridge_the_digital_divide.html
6. Who is Not Online?
Nearly 5,000,000,000 people worldwide do not have access to a
computer or the internet.
While the problem of the digital divide is most prevalent in countries
outside of Europe and North America, one in five American adults do
not use the internet either by choice or by restriction.
Source: http://www.ted.com/talks/aleph_molinari_let_s_bridge_the_digital_divide.html
8. Students
In today’s education system, a home
computer is a necessity for students who
wish to stay current with their peers.
Lessons, homework, and daily
communication are all moving online.
9. Low Income Individuals
Job postings are moving online quickly. Applicants may have trouble
creating a resume and cover letter without access to a computer.
Additionally, employers are increasingly seeking proficiency with
software and technology, further widening the digital divide.
10. Those with Disabilities
Many have disabilities which limit their ability to view screens,
interact with mice and keyboards, or navigate the internet.
11. How Does the Digital Divide Affect Our Ability to
Achieve Our Mission?
13. Cultural
• Some constituents might not believe technology has
anything to offer them, and have no family members with
regular access to technology
• African American and Hispanic individuals are on average
10% less likely to use the Internet than white Americans
• Individuals over 65 are the least engaged of any age group
• Those without a high school education are 50% less likely to
use the Internet than college graduates
Source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences.aspx
14. Economic
• Among those who do not use the Internet and email, 10% claim that
the cost of a reliable internet connection was the primary deterrent
• As of 2011, only 62% of adults with annual salaries under $30,000 a
year were online, compared to 97% of adults with annual salaries
greater than $75,000
Source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences.aspx
15. Ability
• The visually impaired
• Those with motor and
dexterity impairments
• Those who cannot access
public computers due to
lack of wheelchair
accessibility
• Those who are unaware of
assistive devices available
for computer access
Source: http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/technology-for-library-users-with-disabilities
43. How has your organization promoted
Digital Inclusion?
44. Case Study:
Digital Inclusion Grant
Digital Inclusion Fund of The Minneapolis
Foundation
• Goals
– Promote technology access and literacy
for low-income families who have children
with and without disabilities.
– Promote technology access and literacy
for immigrants and refugees.
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45. Community Centers
• PACER Center
• Project Pride for Living’s Learning
Center
• Waite House
• Hmong International Academy
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46. Lessons Learned
Workshops with the largest attendance
were tightly goal oriented. Little to no
interest was given to broadly
categorized workshops.
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47. Examples
• Finding and applying for a job online.
• Looking up your child’s grades online.
• Finding free digital children books.
• Setting up and using email.
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48. Lessons Learned
Majority of attendees had access to a
computer at home or in a community
center but were not comfortable using
them. They often felt that their children
were knowledgeable about the internet
but were not good teachers for them.
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49. Lessons Learned
Our most effect advertising method was
showing up in person to community
events and getting community leaders
to spread the word.
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50. Technology for Reaching Out
• Accessible Website
– Mobile Friendly
• WordPress offers resizable layouts
– Translated content (avoid machine
translation)
– Accessible design
• www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php
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51. Technology for Reaching Out
• Accessible Website
– Offer audio or video versions of content
• Content is more important than quality
• Services
– YouTube – great captioning support
– Vimeo
– BlogTalkRadio – podcasts with only a phone
– Podbean
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52. Technology for Reaching Out
• Texting services
– Most phones support texting
– Must collect numbers
• www.frontlinesms.com
• www.textmarks.com
• www.clubtexting.com
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53. Assistive Technology
• Text-to-speech
– Naturalreaders.com
• Magnification
– Built in
• Slow Keys
– Built in
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54. Assistive Technology
• Google Translate
– translate.google.com
– Entire Documents and websites
• Tech Support Videos
– www.teachparentstech.org
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