Digital and social inclusion

Social and digital exclusion go hand in hand. Yet digital technologies are often not recognised as an effective means to alleviate or overcome some of the barriers faced by the socially excluded. The take-up of the internet has slowed considerably since 2004, during a time when more and more essential public information and support services are being delivered over the Web, and when on-line shopping is often the route to the cheapest goods and services.

Currently in the UK:

•  33% of households do not have a home computer
• 39% of adults do not use the internet
• 50% of households do not have broadband
• 29% of children do not have internet access from home
• Use of the internet falls with age, but increases with wealth and socio-economic status
• 75% of socially excluded people don’t have access to computers or the Internet.

There is evidence therefore that the digital divide – the gap between those with regular and easy access to the Internet and what it offers, and those without - is deepening.

How we can help:

• Developing a better understanding of the knowledge and skills required to plan and implement digital inclusion initiatives
• Identifying the successful methods and skills which underlie existing thriving projects
• Identifying gaps in knowledge, understanding and skills within the public sector, including: Who has knowledge, understanding and/or skills gaps
• The scope and nature of the gaps
• Identifying how best to fill the gaps by building professional capacity
• Developing a case for action and an action plan
• Identifying what works and what doesn't in meeting the digital challenge
• Identifying what are the key blockages and gaps in knowledge and skills which prevent the effective use of ICT to address social and digital inclusion