John Fisher from Citizens Online, a charitable organization that caters solely to the issues of digital divide and promotes digital inclusion, believes that people should know the options available to them. According to him, "I don't see it as a matter of choice, of people opting out. Yes, there will always be a rump of Luddites but for the vast majority they just haven't been given the choice."
The impediments of learning the internet are many. Among them are: fear of technology, viruses and online fraud, don't have the confidence and skill and the most significant reason, people do not think the internet is important for day-to-day living.
In UK, the government offers training courses. But for those who are internet-illiterate even enrolling in these courses could be intimidating.
Citizens Online approach is to create a group of social intermediaries and send them to the community such as health workers. These intermediaries will convert net phobics to netizens.
The group also targets specific groups such as the homeless or the senior citizens, those over the age of 55 by involving them in particular projects that can improve their lives and introduce them to people with similar interests.
In places where the group have worked with, a marked increase in internet usage and home access have been noticed to as much as 25%. Mr. Fisher believes that in some cases the net experience is a life-changing experience particularly in people from the depressed areas, the elderly and the handicapped.
Jobless or homeless people find jobs online. The elderly, handicapped and even jobless are able to access government services gaining the information on how to do so online. The homeless people were even able to find members of family online and establish connections with them again.
The handicapped people particularly the blind are able to shop online through the efforts of Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) together with Tesco. Tesco also benefited in the process as more handicapped customers are availing of their online shopping services. The UK government also believes that computer training to the digital refuseniks could also help the jobless acquire new skills making them ready for the technology-driven market.
Disability charity Leonard Cheshire started a program called Workability which provides free computer training online that users can complete at their own pace. Around 50% of those who took part in the project have found full-time or part-time work and 15% found voluntary work.
For the severely disable people living in Leonard Cheshire care homes, internet access provides them with a new hobby in online bingo. The digital divide probably affected the senior citizens the most. This segment is also standing to gain the most if they are taught how to use internet. The net can help them gain friends, find new hobbies such as
playing online bingo games and help them remain a part of society.
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Online
bingo and bingo halls are a pastime for many people. The games are simple to play and provide the opportunity to socialise for many
bingo players.
