Ensuring Fair Access to the Internet for All

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Ensuring Fair Access to the Internet for All

• The Digital Divide of Generations
• The Elderly and the Internet
• Article by Sarah Richards
• Presentation by Lindsay Powers

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Introduction

• Claudine McCreadie and Rachel Stuchbury's
  research highlighted the following
• Low Income is a potential barrier for computer
  ownership, consequently preventing digital
  inclusion of many elderly people
• Research by the Welsh Consumer Council shows that
  significant proportion of those without access to
  the internet (or computers) are elderly people

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Methodology

• The objectives of the research are to ensure
  that people who want to use the internet have the
  assistance they need to be able to do so, and
  that those who do not use the internet do not
  face disproportionate barriers to accessing goods
  and services.

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Research Findings

• Age 65 and over are used as the benchmark for
  elderly (does not mean those over this age do
  not acquire the means or skills to use the
  internet)
• Surveyed (face to face) 1,000 adults age 16 and
  over
• Number of Households with internet has risen
  significantly in recent years
• March 1999, just 1 in 10 (10) households in
  Wales had a home internet connection. This has
  grown to nearly half (47) of households by March
  2006, representing some 1.3 million people
• (Wales Omnibus Survey, Beaufort Research Ltd,
  March 2006).

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Findings Continued

• Elderly people are less likely to go online than
  other groups (not surprising)
• Elderly find it hard to keep up with both new
  technology and technological terminology
• Less likely to have the networks of friends and
  co-workers that younger people do to bring them
  into contact with new technology

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Findings Applied

• Since elderly people have more time on their
  hands they should be taught how to use the
  internet to their advantage
• Keeping in touch with family and friends
• Shopping Online
• 56 of people age 65 or older shop online
• Finding information about events at local clubs
  and societies

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Should We Worry About Non-Users?

• Internet dominant feature of modern society and
  life
• Internet signifier of social inclusion
• Those who dont use the internet may be missing a
  valuable source of information and communication
• Non-users may also find that as more and more
  information is made available online they have
  trouble getting hold of information in other
  formats

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Non-Users Excuses

• Dont have the right equipment
• Dont know how to do it
• Too complicated
• Have no need for it
• Main reason for those polled over 65 years of
  age
• JUST DONT WANT IT

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Attitudes Toward the Internet

• Elderly peoples attitudes toward the internet
  fit into four models.
• Current Users
• Absorbers and Self-Starters
• Non Users
• Rejecters and Disengaged
• Disengaged might be willing to try, rejecters
  want NOTHING to do with it
• This shows that with the right training and
  advocating resistance to the internet among the
  elderly and the digital divide among age groups
  can be overcome

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Making the Internet Relevant

• Demonstrating how to apply the internet to better
  your life
• How to e-mail friends and family to stay in touch
• How to scan pictures to save, print and send to
  others
• Being able to keep up to date with hobbies and
  interests, specifically in local clubs and
  organizations

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Education

• Offer Training Courses for the Elderly
• Provide basic computer/internet usage skills
• Great opportunity for socializing and meeting new
  people
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?viHUYmavvDzw
• Teachers Can Be
• Professionals
• Friends and/or Family
• Peers
• This should NOT be underestimated as a resource
  to drive internet usage

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Accessibility

• Important that web designers make their sights as
  accessible as possible
• MUST be easy to navigate through and easy to read
  
• Disability Rights Commission found that 81 of
  British websites are inaccessible to disabled
  people
• This is especially important because disabilities
  tend to be more prevalent in the elderly
• Most technology provides special devices for
  those with disabilities
• Ex people with sight impairments may find using
  screen readers and magnifiers beneficial

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Cost

• Although the cost for a computer has fallen in
  recent years this can still be a prevalent factor
  
• Suggestions to avoid high costs
• Sharing computers with friends
• Using computers in public locations (ex
  libraries and community centers)
• Taking part in schemes used to redistribute old
  computers

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Conclusion

• Key Issue
• Efforts to increase older people's use of the
  internet need to look at the personal
  requirements of the individual and make it
  relevant to their life.
• While there has been no significant increase in
  the number of older people going online over the
  last three years, they appear to be becoming
  increasingly sophisticated in their use of the
  internet
• Internet has much to benefit older people. With a
  little assistance, through training,
  encouragement or technical advice, more older
  people may find it relevant to their lives and be
  prepared to give it a go.

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Article Information

• Article found via Proquest database
• Richards, S. (2006, Dec). Ensuring Fair Access
  to the Internet for All Working with Older
  People. Brighton, 104, Retrieved Feb 15, 2007,
  from http//proquest.umi.com.offcampus.lib. washi
  ngton.edu/pqdweb?did1186430 051sid1Fmt3clien
  tId8991RQ T309VNamePQD