Advocacy Archives - Community Tech Network

Digital Disability Inclusion: Accessibility Solutions for People with Disabilities

Leah Beck — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 23:27:32 +0000

According to statistics, more than 1.3 billion people around the world have some form of disability The actual number is likely much higher — after all, many disabilities go unreported or undiagnosed due to social stigmas, medical costs, and other reasons. So literally billions of people have a disability. Yet, according to an evaluation of the top one million most popular webpages 96.7% of the internet has accessibility issues Take a second to let that sink in. Only 3.3% of the internet (including websites, apps, and other digital tools) is fully accessible to people with disabilities According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), there are five pillars of digital inclusion. In order to create a digitally equitable world, everyone must have access to: affordable home internet, a device (such as a computer or tablet), technology training (to learn how to use the internet), tech support (for when new questions arise), and online content that is designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration. Many digital equity initiatives tend to focus on the first four elements. However, it is the fifth component that we will address today. Imagine that someone has strong home Wi-Fi, a brand-new laptop, and the […]

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Bridging the Digital Divide: Navigating the Challenges of Digital Access for Incarcerated (and Formerly Incarcerated) Individuals

jess — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:12:21 +0000

In 2022, Community Tech Network profiled one of our learners, Charles Hale, who, before participating in CTN’s technology classes, had been incarcerated for 48 years. Hale entered jail in 1974, many years before things like smartphones and laptops were even invented. He said, “I felt like a Neanderthal when I got out [of prison]. I honestly didn’t even know how to turn a phone on and off … I couldn’t use a touchscreen. When I went to places like grocery stores and even the DMV, I had to ask for help [to fill out on-screen forms and pay at self-checkouts]. People looked at me like they didn’t know what planet I was from.” Yet, even folks who are incarcerated for much shorter periods than Hale can still be left behind, as technology continues to evolve each day while they remain cut off from the outside world. Understanding the Digital Divide in Prisons The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to technology and the skills to use it, compared to those who do not. Many correctional facilities restrict or completely deny inmates access to the web due to security concerns, limiting their ability to engage in […]

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California’s Digital Equity Plan: How to Share Your Public Comments

jess — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:33:02 +0000

The California Department of Technology (CDT) has released a draft of its Digital Equity Plan, which would allocate millions of dollars to bridge the digital divide across the state by improving broadband access, affordability, and adoption. The plan is currently open for public comments, presenting an invaluable chance for residents to contribute to shaping the state’s strategy for digital inclusion over the next five years. Fast Facts The California Digital Equity Plan is soliciting public comments until January 25, 2024. This is a great opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to provide insights, suggestions, and feedback on the proposed strategies outlined in the plan. Comment Submission Tips To make your feedback impactful, consider the following tips: Focus on Section 5: Highlight key activities and strategies outlined in Section 5, which include crucial aspects such as digital literacy classes for older adults, device distribution, and Internet subsidy support. Share your thoughts on these strategies and suggest improvements or additions based on your experiences. Be Specific: Focus your comments on specific parts of Section 5, unless your feedback is general. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes to support your points, making your comments more compelling. Express Support: If there are elements in the […]

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Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Digital Equity to Drive Economic Development

jess — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:00:22 +0000

In today’s digital world, access to the internet and the skills to use it have become vital for success in education, employment, and daily life. Unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to these essential resources, leading to a significant digital divide that perpetuates social and economic inequalities. Promoting digital equity, which ensures that everyone has fair access to the internet, can bridge this gap. An added benefit: it can also promote economic development. Here are some ways that digital equity can unlock a wealth of opportunities for economic growth and empowerment: Bridging the Opportunity Gap Digital equity provides marginalized individuals, including low-income communities, seniors, and minorities, with equal access to education, job opportunities, and information. With increased access to online learning platforms and digital resources, individuals can acquire new skills, access educational content, and participate in remote work opportunities, thus closing the opportunity gap and empowering them to contribute actively to the economy. Fostering Digital Entrepreneurship Digital equity creates an environment that nurtures entrepreneurship and innovation. When aspiring entrepreneurs have access to digital tools and resources, they can develop and market their products and services more efficiently. This fosters a culture of innovation and enhances the growth of startups, ultimately […]

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Net Neutrality and the Digital Divide

jess — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 14:36:34 +0000

Net neutrality is not a new issue. Community Tech Network was already writing about it in 2014! However, the political debate surrounding net neutrality does not look like it’s going to disappear any time soon. So what is net neutrality? To put it simply, net neutrality refers to the idea that the internet should be fair and open. It means that all content is treated equally, without having internet service providers (ISPs) either prioritize or discriminate against certain sites or services for their own benefit. For example, ISPs may want to manipulate internet traffic to direct you away from their competitors. Net neutrality prevents this. So how does this relate to digital equity? The concept of digital equity states that every individual deserves access to high-speed, reliable internet, and the library of information that it encompasses. Without net neutrality, ISPs could slow down service when folks are navigating certain websites, or they could charge extra fees for faster access to particular content. The wealthy would be able to still pay to access the information that they want — but what about everyone else? Net neutrality plays a vital role in promoting digital inclusion and leveling the playing field. It ensures […]

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Why Digital Inclusion Matters for Healthcare

jess — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:00:36 +0000

Digital inclusion plays a key role in shaping the future of healthcare. By providing equal access to digital technologies and resources, it empowers individuals and communities to fully participate in the digital world, leading to improved health outcomes and greater patient engagement. Digital Inclusion as a Social Determinant of Health New digital technologies have revolutionized healthcare. Telehealth services, for example, enable patients to receive medical advice and primary care from their homes. This saves travel time and costs. For folks who live in rural areas, can’t afford transportation, or have busy schedules with jobs or children, attending doctor appointments has become a whole lot easier. Digital inclusion also fosters greater access to health information. The internet contains a massive library of health-related knowledge, which empowers individuals to educate themselves on conditions, treatment options, and prevention strategies. Such health literacy allows folks to make well-informed decisions for themselves. Additionally, increased patient engagement is another benefit of digital inclusion. Mobile health applications, wearable devices, and electronic health records (EHRs) enable individuals to actively manage their health, from tracking fitness goals to monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. This can encourage people to feel a sense of […]

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Exploring the Lack of Internet Access on Native American Reservations

jess — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:00:51 +0000

Despite the fact that the internet is used for just about everything in today’s society, 42 million Americans are still offline. One group in particular has been especially left behind in the current digital era: indigenous communities. The statistics speak for themselves. Recent research shows that, on tribal lands: Download speeds are 75% slower. Internet costs are 11% higher. 18% of people have no internet at all. Internet access is 21 percentage points lower, compared to neighboring nontribal lands. The access gap between tribal and nontribal areas is approximately three times larger than the White-Black access gap and four times larger than the urban-rural access gap. Meanwhile, similar studies have found that only half of Native Americans who own a computer and live on a reservation or other tribal land have access to high-speed, reliable internet. In summary: tribal areas are some of the least connected regions across the U.S. These communities have been underserved because internet service providers (ISPs) are not motivated to build broadband infrastructure, such as towers and cables, in rural tribal areas with small populations. The common belief: they can make more money elsewhere. In recent years, the federal government has worked to bridge the digital […]

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Digital Inclusion for People with Disabilities: Bridging the Accessibility Gap

jess — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:00:48 +0000

More than 1 in 3 (38%) of adults living with a disability in the United States do not own a computer. Meanwhile, government statistics (PDF) show that “83.4 percent of people over age 15 without disabilities used the internet at home, work, school or elsewhere, while only 63.8 percent of people with disabilities did.” This raises important questions on disability digital divide. These three important questions are: Why are people with disabilities less likely to be online? Why is getting folks with disabilities improved internet access important? What can be done about it? Why Are So Many People with Disabilities Offline? Disability Digital Divide According to the U.S. Department of Labor (PDF), adults with disabilities report high costs of home internet (and assumedly, of devices) as their main barrier to getting online. This makes sense, as unemployment rates among differently abled groups are often more than double that of their peers. However, being offline only exacerbates the difficulties of finding meaningful employment (as will be discussed later). Additionally, accessibility plays a major factor. According to the Good Things Foundation’s Doing Digital Inclusion: Disability Handbook, “Colour, size and layout of text, and incompatibility with screen readers mean many websites are inaccessible […]

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The Digital Divide as a Continuum: Beyond the Binary

jess — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 20:07:21 +0000

The digital divide is not black and white — there are many shades of gray. Can you think of a loved one — perhaps a parent or relative — that has a device and knows how to perform basic tasks on the internet but still struggles to fully understand technology? Perhaps they know how to send text messages and search for information on Google, but they’re lost when it comes to things like online shopping, using apps, and watching TV shows on the internet. Or maybe they’re comfortable performing those types of actions, but they have to call their child for help every time their device says it needs to complete some kind of update. The digital divide is not binary. To put people into boxes of “Yes, this person is fully connected to the internet” or “No, they are not” is a gross oversimplification of the complex topic of digital equity. Digital inclusion has various components, including broadband, devices, and digital skills. All of these are requisites for being connected in the digital age, but they cannot be reduced to the black-and-white model of either “I have this” or “I do not.” There are varying degrees of connectivity. Broadband […]

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Bridging the Digital Gap for Immigrant Families

jess — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 01:34:00 +0000

In today’s digital age, many first-generation Americans born and raised in the United States find themselves shouldering the responsibility of assisting their immigrant parents and relatives with technological challenges. These young individuals, well-versed in technology and English-speaking environments, often act as administrators for their families, providing translation services and tech support. CTN’s Josh Chan experienced this himself, which was what initially drew him to CTN’s mission. He says: “I have a relative living in a CTN partner site. I used to help this family member order products, talk to their doctor, and perform other basic tasks online. It was eye-opening because it shows how difficult accessing these services can be for someone who doesn’t know how to use technology.” Empowering older, immigrant family members through specialized technology training can increase such individuals’ feelings of independence and self-sufficiency as they become equipped with the skills that they need to navigate the digital world. Meanwhile, it can reduce a bit of the administrative burden that typically falls on younger family members. However, in order to serve immigrant populations, organizations must ensure that their technology classes are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Check out our other article about bringing digital literacy to non-English-speaking populations. If […]

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