This document discusses equity of access to the internet, focusing on net neutrality, race and class, and disability. It notes that the internet is increasingly important for communication, healthcare, government services, employment, and education. Nearly a third of Americans have a disability, and those with disabilities use the internet less due to factors like income, access to assistive technology, and webpage design. The document outlines guidelines for making web content accessible to people with disabilities and argues that libraries can help enforce these guidelines, advocate for technology funding, and improve experiences for patrons with disabilities.

1. Libraries, Internet, and Equity of Access Becky Borsheim • Laura Deshler • Christie Schultz

2. Areas of Focus Net Neutrality Race and Class Disability

3. Not in scope Age Urban vs. Rural Global Perspective

4. What does Equity mean? The ability to access the internet and content available on the internet regardless of age, race, class, gender, disability, and geographic location

5. Why should we care? The internet is becoming the primary form of communication and transmission of information: Health Care Government Services Employment Education Social Interaction

6. Net Neutrality and Equity of Access

7. Race, Class and Equity

8. Internet Equity and Disability Nearly 1/3 of all Americans have a disability Those with disabilities use the internet less than those without

9. Internet Equity and Disability Reasons for disparity of use: Age Income Access to Assistive Technology Webpage design

10. Internet Equity and Disability Income, Disability, and Internet Access: Tend to be lower income individuals Cost of broadband + Cost of assistive technology = Greater reliance on libraries for access

11. Internet Equity and Disability Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Guidelines for all websites, private or public Not enforceable Based on four overarching principles: Perceivable Operable Understandable Robust Section 508 For FEDERAL websites only (i.e. gov’t agencies and organizations doing business with the gov’t)

12. Internet Equity and Disability Google Apps for Education NFB filed a complaint on 3/15/11 against Universities and public schools using this program Google Apps has severe usability issues Guess what other University uses Google Apps for Education??? (hint: you’re sitting in one of their buildings…) Video

13. Internet Equity and Disability Discuss: What can we do as library professionals to: Enforce guidelines developed by the W3C, the UN and the ADA to ensure web inclusion? Advocate for funding for technology resources? Increase positive experiences for library patrons living with disabilities, age-related or otherwise?

14. References