The document discusses the concept of the digital divide, which highlights the disparity between those with access to information technology and those without, impacting various groups including students, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities. It outlines the barriers to digital inclusion—cultural, economic, and accessibility issues—and offers strategies for fostering greater access through technology, training workshops, and community engagement. Case studies illustrate successful programs aimed at promoting digital literacy and easing technology use among underserved populations.

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

2. Introductions
www.idealware.org

3. Introductions
www.pacer.org

4. Slide 4

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

7. Who does the Digital Divide
Affect the Most?

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?

12. The Three Barriers

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

16. ACTIVITY:
Identifying Barriers

17. How Can We Foster Digital Inclusion?

18. Technology:
The Internet’s Global Reach

19. The Internet is Everywhere!

20. Technology:
Make Your Website Accessible

21. Visual Challenges

22. Language Challenges

23. WAVE: Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool

24. Technology:
Translation Sites and Apps

25. Google Translate

26. Conversational Translation Tools
Jibbigo MyTalkTools

27. Technology:
Cheaper Computers

28. Low Cost Hardware Can Help!
The Chrombook starts under $200. No contract, pay-as-as-you-go
smartphones are becoming more
available.

29. TechSoup Can Help at the Org Level

30. Technology:
Mobile Devices and Tablets

31. iPad and Other Tablets

32. Strategy:
Youth Engagement

33. From the ground up…

34. Strategy:
Offline Communications

35. Reach People Where They Are…
Mobile Phone Basics, Skokie (IL)Public Library

36. Strategy:
Training Workshops

37. Make the Tools Less Scary…

38. Strategy:
Free Computer Access

39. Make computers available…
Information Commons, Brooklyn Public Library

40. Strategy:
Goal Oriented Programs

41. Show people that the tools are useful…
http://www.e3kids.com/events/skype-party-june-23/

42. Case Study

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.
Page 44

45. Community Centers
• PACER Center
• Project Pride for Living’s Learning
Center
• Waite House
• Hmong International Academy
Page 45

46. Lessons Learned
Workshops with the largest attendance
were tightly goal oriented. Little to no
interest was given to broadly
categorized workshops.
Page 46

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.
Page 47

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.
Page 48

49. Lessons Learned
Our most effect advertising method was
showing up in person to community
events and getting community leaders
to spread the word.
Page 49

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
Page 50

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
Page 51

52. Technology for Reaching Out
• Texting services
– Most phones support texting
– Must collect numbers
• www.frontlinesms.com
• www.textmarks.com
• www.clubtexting.com
Page 52

53. Assistive Technology
• Text-to-speech
– Naturalreaders.com
• Magnification
– Built in
• Slow Keys
– Built in
Page 53

54. Assistive Technology
• Google Translate
– translate.google.com
– Entire Documents and websites
• Tech Support Videos
– www.teachparentstech.org
Page 54

55. ACTIVITY: Matching Barriers with Strategies

56. How will you bring it home?

57. Evaluate This Session!
Each entry is a chance to win an NTEN engraved iPad!
or Online using #13NTCequal at www.nten.org/ntc/eval