How to overcome the Digital Divide
Every new area of benefit in society also creates new opportunities
for being disadvantaged if those benefits are out of reach. The new
information and communication technologies (ICT) are no exception to
this.
WebSpringer has a proven track record in helping people on the
wrong side of the "Digital Divide" to overcome the new barriers and to
participate in the "Information Society". WebSpringer cut its teeth
amongst communities in one of the UK's most disadvantaged regions,
Fife in Scotland. Fife Council Community Services, supported by
money from the lottery, is supporting 100 community groups in
developing an online presence using WebSpringer's online system. The
enthusiasm has been astonishing, with accomplished websites being
developed by people who previously had little or no experience of the
Internet. Building capacity
WebSpringer enables local people to develop ICT capabilities and
awareness starting from their own interests and commitments. For
many building a website is their very first time using a computer.
And they don't have to trudge through IT training courses that have
little relevance to their daily life. Instead they are able to
achieve something of practical value to themselves and their
community.
Developing skills
While WebSpringer provides a largely deskilled process, users do in
the process gain familiarity and confidence with the Internet and
email. And they also - almost unconsciously - gain writing and
graphical skills as they become familiar with writing for the web and
adding pictorial content. Accessibility
We have included a feature with all websites so that at the touch
of a button they can be reformatted to meet the needs of the visually
impaired, and be more easily read by screen-reading software. We
have a commitment to making future improvements and upgrades to the
service meeting W3C and UK government accessibility standards. Awareness events
and training
Where sponsoring agencies such as local authorities, Regional
Development Agencies, government departments (etc) support local
groups and communities in developing websites, we are able to provide
high quality, collaborative and fun events to help people get off to a
flying start. Many of the pictures you see on this website have been
taken at WebSpringer training events. Continuing support
Included in the WebSpringer package is continuing support.
This is not just technical support, but support for all aspects of
using WebSpringer such as how to write good content and include good
images. |
