Towards full digital inclusion: the ENTELIS manifesto against the digital divide

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Mavrou ◽  
Evert-Jan Hoogerwerf
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Technology Enhanced Learning ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Inclusive Society

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the work of the European Network for Technology Enhanced Learning in an Inclusive Society project, which addresses the challenges of the digital divide for people with disabilities of all ages. Design/methodology/approach The project employs a number of activities and approaches which involve people with disabilities and other stakeholders, in order collect scientific knowledge, views, suggestions and experiences that will help in bridging the digital divide. These include literature review and qualitative methodologies of data collection, such as interviews with stakeholders, focus groups and living labs. Findings The benefits of (assistive) technology in the lives of people with disabilities are highly appreciated. However, a number of barriers, including lack of digital skills are identified. Thus the development of (assistive) technology competencies programmes is suggested. In addition, there is evidence of the need to further involve all stakeholders and increase awareness. Social implications The most important implication of the project is the production of the manifesto against the digital divide. With this document the project consortium justifies for action on raising awareness regarding the rights of persons with disabilities of all ages to be digitally included. Originality/value The value of the project lies upon the publication of the manifesto against the digital divide, which has already been endorsed by a number of organisations in Europe and elsewhere, with the aspiration of influencing policy makers and practitioners to collaborate in order to bridge the digital divide.

Web-Based Distance Learning and the Second Digital Divide

2011 ◽  
pp. 83-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl Burghstahler
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Learning Options

Web-based distance learning programs promise learning options anywhere, anytime, to anyone. However, some individuals with disabilities are locked out of these opportunities when courses are designed in such a way that they are inaccessible to individuals using assistive technology. This chapter provides an overview of access challenges for people with disabilities; suggestions for course developers on creating accessible courses; and suggestions for administrators on developing accessiblity policies, guidelines, and procedures.

scholarly journals Development and implementation of a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emile Tompa ◽  
Amirabbas Mofidi ◽  
Arif Jetha ◽  
Pamela Lahey ◽  
Alexis Buettgen
Keyword(s):  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Inclusive Society

PurposeTo develop a framework for estimating the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society and implement it for the Canadian context. The framework measures the gap between the current situation in terms of accessibility and inclusiveness, and a counterfactual scenario of a fully accessible and inclusive society.Design/methodology/approachThe method consists of three steps. First, the conceptual framework was developed based on a literature review and expert knowledge. Second, the magnitudes for each domain of the framework was estimated for the reference year 2017 using data from various sources. Third, several sensitivity analyses were run using different assumptions and scenarios.FindingsIt was estimated that moving to a fully accessible and inclusive society would create a value of $337.7bn (with a range of $252.8–$422.7bn) for Canadian society in the reference year of 2017. This is a sizeable proportion of gross domestic product (17.6%, with a range of 13.1–22.0%) and is likely a conservative estimate of the potential benefits.Originality/valueUnderstanding the magnitude of the economic benefits of an accessible and inclusive society can be extremely useful for governments, disability advocates and industry leaders as it provides invaluable information on the benefits of efforts, such as legislation, policies, programs and practices, to improve accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the total economic benefits and the benefits per person with a disability can serve as inputs in economic evaluations and impact assessments.

scholarly journals Disabled people’s organisations and the disability movement: Perspectives from Burkina Faso

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Bezzina
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Capital City ◽  
External Funding ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Disability Movement

Background: In Burkina Faso, the disability movement is rather weak, both in terms of funding and staffing – its range does not extend far outside the capital city and is largely dependent on international non-governmental organisations (INGOs). Despite the huge number of grassroots disabled people’s organisations (DPOs), many of these organisations do not function beyond the occasional meeting and celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The reasons for this are various, including dependency on external funding (such as from international organisations), lack of access to resources, being dependent on voluntary members, and lack of organisation.Objectives: This article looks at the functioning of – and politics governing – DPOs in Burkina Faso, their significance in the lives of people with disabilities and the challenges they encounter.Method: This article is based on research findings obtained through interviews conducted with people with disabilities, as well as INGOs working with people with disabilities and state authorities in Burkina Faso.Results: Evidence suggests that the farther people with disabilities are from the capital, the lesser are their chances of being heard and of being involved in decision-making. However, DPOs offer a haven for many, offering people with disabilities solace in meeting other members and finding a sense of belonging in these associations. Others give importance to the role of DPOs in raising awareness and human rights advocacy.Conclusion: Finally, the article raises the question as to what the future of DPOs in Burkina Faso might entail.

Bridging the gender digital divide: an analysis of existing guidance for gender digital inclusion programmes’ evaluations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Pawluczuk ◽  
JeongHyun Lee ◽  
Attlee Munyaradzi Gamundani
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Process Context ◽  
Transparency And Accountability

Purpose This aim of this paper is to examine the existing gender digital inclusion evaluation guidance and proposes future research recommendations for their evaluation. Despite modern progress in towards gender equality and women’s empowerment movements, women’s access to, use of and benefits from digital technologies remain limited owing to economic, social and cultural obstacles. Addressing the existing gender digital divide is critical in the global efforts towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent years, there has been a global increase of gender digital inclusion programmes for girls and women; these programmes serve as a mechanism to learn about gender-specific digital needs and inform future digital inclusion efforts. Evaluation reports of gender digital inclusion programmes can produce critical insights into girls’ and women’s learning needs and aspirations, including what works and what does not when engaging girls and women in information and communications technologies. While there are many accounts highlighting the importance of why gender digital inclusion programmes are important, there is limited knowledge on how to evaluate their impact. Design/methodology/approach The thematic analysis suggests three points to consider for the gender digital inclusion programmes evaluation: context-specific understanding of gender digital inclusion programmes; transparency and accountability of the evaluation process and its results; and tensions between evaluation targets and empowerment of evaluation participants. Findings The thematic analysis suggests three points of future focus for this evaluation process: context-specific understanding of gender digital inclusion programmes; transparency and accountability of the evaluation process and its results; and tensions between evaluation targets and empowerment of evaluation participants. Originality/value The authors propose recommendations for gender digital inclusion evaluation practice and areas for future research.

scholarly journals Covid-19 “tourism in flight mode”: a lost opportunity to rethink tourism – towards a more sustainable and inclusive society

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 671-678
Author(s):  
Carmen Pardo ◽  
Ana Ladeiras
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Online Forums ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
Flight Mode ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Tourism Activity ◽  
Inclusive Society

Purpose This paper aims to report on a post-confinement reflection (not post-COVID-19) resulting from a series of online forums that took place during the peak moments of the pandemic, with the intention of raising awareness and mobilising tourism agents for the development of tourism planning and tourism intelligence, taking advantage of the period of stagnation of the tourism industry. The project was named “Tourism in flight mode: Thinking together the post COVID-19 tourism”. Design/methodology/approach The project was based on the sharing of information and experiences in virtual forums where participants from all over the world had the opportunity to explain how the pandemic was influencing their work/business, the regional or national tourism activity, GDP and jobs and how they and their regions were preparing for the recovery of tourism. On a biweekly basis, virtual forums were organised, with participants from three continents and 12 countries. The results were contextualised by carrying out a review of the most recent literature and authors’ tourism know-how in the field. Findings The results of the discussions allowed for an identification of new potential successful tourism products and new proposals for the design of basic pillars for destinations planning. Practical implications This paper offers practical recommendations for public administration and others on dealing with unexpected crises in the tourism sector and how to respond through the development of new and adapted products and approaches to tourism. Originality/value This paper creates awareness in public administration and other agencies about the opportunities and the needs for this “new era”.

scholarly journals PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77
Author(s):  
A. A. SOETAN ◽  
O. S. APANTAKU ◽  
P. B. ABDULSALAM-SAGHIR ◽  
A.F. O. AYINDE
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Ogun State

People with disabilities (PLWDs) are generally believed to be incapacitated in all spheres of life endeavours. This study assessed their participation in agricultural activities as well the determinants     affecting their participation. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 268 respondents from persons who are: physically challenged (PC), with visually impairment (VI), speech impaired (SI) and lepers (L) from a list of registered members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities list in Ogun State. Data collected through interview guide were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and Binary Logistic Regression. Few (30.6%) of the respondents participated in agricultural activities. The agricultural activities mostly participated by PC were egg production (41.4%), cassava production (31.0%) and free range chicken production(27.6%). Also, persons with PVI engaged in free range chicken (44.0%), cassava (32.0%) and maize (28.0%) productions while lepers were engaged in millet (78.6%), cassava (46.4%) and free range chicken (35.7%) production. Few PC (6.9%) and PVI (16.0%) were engaged in broiler production, while 48.0% percent (PC), 32.0% (VI) and 10.7% (lepers) of the PWDs who participated in agricultural activities had access to extension agents. The binary logistic regression results showed that the determinantswhichsignificantly(p<0.01) influenced PWDs’ likelihood of participation in agricultural activities were access to agricultural training (β = 4.14), access to agricultural inputs (β=3.46), access to agricultural credit or loan (β =2.59),access to assistive technologies (β =3.28)and access to land (β=2.11). The constraints encountered by PWDs participating in agriculture were lack of funds (x̅ = 4.02), inaccessibility to land (x̅ = 3.72), inadequate infrastructure (x̅ = 3.16), inadequate assistive technology (x̅ = 3.05) and negative attitude of people towards PWDs (x̅ = 2.81) as well as negative attitude of people to PWDs (x̅ = 2.81). The study recommended that provision of lands, agricultural trainings, inclusive agricultural extension service delivery, assistive technology and change of negative mindset towards PWDs, may enhance their participation in agricultural activities.    

Assistive Technologies, Tools and Resources for the Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies by People with Disabilities

2013 ◽  
pp. 246-260
Author(s):  
Betania Groba ◽  
Thais Pousada ◽  
Laura Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Technology Support ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Information And Communication

A person with disabilities can present difficulties in occupational performance. It is necessary to develop a set of resources, technological or otherwise, to offset these difficulties, and contribute to the integration of people with functional diversity in society. These resources are called support products or technology support, but do not eliminate the deficits, they can eliminate the limitation of the performance of persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) were formed as an alternative to personal empowerment of people with disabilities. To access and use of these new technologies are used to support specific products. In the market there is a diversity and variety of assistive technology, so it is necessary the classification and analysis of various products before the person can use it. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about assistive technology, and specifically those directly related to ICT.

Transport and Mobility

2014 ◽  
pp. 112-132
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Indoor Navigation ◽  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Large Group ◽  
Smart Wheelchairs ◽  
New Ideas

One of the most common needs for persons with disabilities and elderly is the need for transportation and mobility. It is a need that penetrates many aspects of a person's life. From travelling to another city or country, commuting to work, or travelling within your city and being able to navigate in indoor environments such as a shopping mall, a museum, or even your own home, transportation and mobility are needed. This chapter focuses and discusses issues, technologies, and applications for enhancing the accessibility in transportation and mobility together with new ideas such as the idea and trend of telepresence that could be helpful for a large group of people apart from people with disabilities. Technologies and applications discussed include driverless transportation, indoor navigation, smart assistive technology devices for mobility and navigation such as smart wheelchairs, exoskeletons, smart white canes, etc.

Assistive Technologies, Tools and Resources for the Access and Use of Information and Communication Technologies by People with Disabilities

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betania Groba ◽  
Thais Pousada ◽  
Laura Nieto
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Technology Support ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Information And Communication

A person with disabilities can present difficulties in occupational performance. It is necessary to develop a set of resources, technological or otherwise, to offset these difficulties, and contribute to the integration of people with functional diversity in society. These resources are called support products or technology support, but do not eliminate the deficits, they can eliminate the limitation of the performance of persons with disabilities. Moreover, the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) were formed as an alternative to personal empowerment of people with disabilities. To access and use of these new technologies are used to support specific products. In the market there is a diversity and variety of assistive technology, so it is necessary the classification and analysis of various products before the person can use it. The purpose of this chapter is to provide information about assistive technology, and specifically those directly related to ICT.

How do we understand “meaningful use” of the internet? Of divides, skills and socio-technical awareness

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-479
Author(s):  
Laura Hosman ◽  
Martin Andrés Pérez Comisso
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Meaningful Use ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Inclusion ◽  
Information And Communications Technologies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accurate Picture ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Purpose Information and communications technologies (ICTs) have transformed the lives of many people around the world, yet billions remain unconnected. While many initiatives attempt to “connect the unconnected,” initiatives focused on access and skills-development alone will still fall short. Based on the authors’ experience with the SolarSPELL initiative, this study aims to propose using the concept of socio-technical awareness as a step forward in conceptualizing a more accurate picture of capabilities necessary to enable people to make meaningful use of the internet. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses an integrative literature review for the ideas related to the digital divide, digital inclusion and digital literacies, as well as the applied work of the authors in the SolarSPELL initiative, to develop the concept of socio-technical awareness, which is presented as a method for understanding empowered, meaningful internet use. Findings The argument is made that access, skills- and literacy-development are necessary but insufficient conditions for meaningful ICTs use. Accordingly, a third concept, socio-technical awareness, is introduced, and the case is made for including this concept in both application and measurement of meaningful use of ICTs. Practical implications The design of digital inclusion initiatives should focus on increasing socio-technical awareness to empower users to make meaningful use of digital technologies. Originality/value Taking a step further than most assessments of the digital divide or digital inclusion, this study proposes that to achieve meaningful internet use, people need access, requisite skills development and socio-technical awareness, to be able to make informed, empowered decisions about ICT use.

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