I think it’s really important for organisations to consider how their stakeholders might not have access to the internet. The internet is obviously a very hot topic at the moment and will probably continue to be a hot topic for a long time, but it’s important not to loose sight of the other ways organisations communicate and reach people. I guess it’s about being diverse…and strategic.
I agree this is a problem, but is the access issue reaching a tipping point? The Internet World Stats website reports that 62% of the population in the UK now has web access. I think that Ofcom estimates are even higher. Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 billion people have web access.
One of the problems about the debate on internet access is that it is a very PC-centric model. I can’t pin down the research – I think it’s by Gartner – but in essence they argue that shortly more mobile phones will be connected to the interne than PCs. My guess is that the mobile phone is perhaps the most democratic, classless piece of technology in use today, whether in the UK or worldwide. So maybe the Smartphone will signal the end of the digital divide.
A second problem is that it is assumed to be a supply-side issue (i.e. supply is too limited/too expensive). But technology adoption is also a demand side issue. I wonder if some people just don’t see the relevance, or the PC/internet doesn’t fit with their lifestyle? So, for a number of years Sky’s dustbin lid was probably not bolted to many homes in Islington as it was a piece of technology with class connotations. The PS3, Xbox etc are similar bits of technology with a particular demographic. Perhaps the final point to note here is that all these devices (and your fridge too, if you fancy it) will all connect to the internet.
Karl’s right about the ever-increasing number of devices that enable you to connect to the internet. Convergence as the geeks call it is ever-increasing. It isn’t difficult to imagine a small device that combines phone, camera, GPS, MP3 player, digital TV, digital radio, Sky +, gaming, virtual money, and works your house key and alarm. I wouldn’t be surprised if such a thing already exists.
From RNIB’s perspective there are two risks with this (and some opportunities). One is price, which although it always tumbles as a product becomes more widely adopted, will tend to be very high upon initial launch. This is a very practical barrier to many charity beneficiaries. The other is accessibility in the sense of it being possible to use a device if you don’t have perfect vision. The internet has actually been a huge boon to many blind and partially sighted people (and I have a blind colleague who recently arrived at a meeting using a personal GPS!). But only if accessibility is built in at the outset. Things like touch-screen interfaces and on-screen menus without an audio description function are huge barriers.
So for the sector more broadly I guess the issues are price, physically being able to access such devices, the decreasing choice for those who do not wish to leap on the fancy new technology bandwagon. The opportunity is to try to work with government, designers and manufacturers to ensure that industry standards take account of diverse needs, which is exactly what we’re trying to do on various fronts.
A recent report from Pew Internet says that the internet is now a major channel of interaction for teenagers in America, I’m sure ours in the UK aren’t too far behind them. Organisations who provide support and services to this group are going to have to make sure they target their efforts to make the best use of social media and similar channels.
Jake
I found this blog post on supply side pressures affecting internet access in Australia a useful aside:
Australian broadband not as fast as the kids would like
Véronique
Third Sector ForesightI think it’s really important for organisations to consider how their stakeholders might not have access to the internet. The internet is obviously a very hot topic at the moment and will probably continue to be a hot topic for a long time, but it’s important not to loose sight of the other ways organisations communicate and reach people. I guess it’s about being diverse…and strategic.
Karl
Third Sector ForesightI agree this is a problem, but is the access issue reaching a tipping point? The Internet World Stats website reports that 62% of the population in the UK now has web access. I think that Ofcom estimates are even higher. Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 billion people have web access.
One of the problems about the debate on internet access is that it is a very PC-centric model. I can’t pin down the research – I think it’s by Gartner – but in essence they argue that shortly more mobile phones will be connected to the interne than PCs. My guess is that the mobile phone is perhaps the most democratic, classless piece of technology in use today, whether in the UK or worldwide. So maybe the Smartphone will signal the end of the digital divide.
A second problem is that it is assumed to be a supply-side issue (i.e. supply is too limited/too expensive). But technology adoption is also a demand side issue. I wonder if some people just don’t see the relevance, or the PC/internet doesn’t fit with their lifestyle? So, for a number of years Sky’s dustbin lid was probably not bolted to many homes in Islington as it was a piece of technology with class connotations. The PS3, Xbox etc are similar bits of technology with a particular demographic. Perhaps the final point to note here is that all these devices (and your fridge too, if you fancy it) will all connect to the internet.
Nicholas
Karl’s right about the ever-increasing number of devices that enable you to connect to the internet. Convergence as the geeks call it is ever-increasing. It isn’t difficult to imagine a small device that combines phone, camera, GPS, MP3 player, digital TV, digital radio, Sky +, gaming, virtual money, and works your house key and alarm. I wouldn’t be surprised if such a thing already exists.
From RNIB’s perspective there are two risks with this (and some opportunities). One is price, which although it always tumbles as a product becomes more widely adopted, will tend to be very high upon initial launch. This is a very practical barrier to many charity beneficiaries. The other is accessibility in the sense of it being possible to use a device if you don’t have perfect vision. The internet has actually been a huge boon to many blind and partially sighted people (and I have a blind colleague who recently arrived at a meeting using a personal GPS!). But only if accessibility is built in at the outset. Things like touch-screen interfaces and on-screen menus without an audio description function are huge barriers.
So for the sector more broadly I guess the issues are price, physically being able to access such devices, the decreasing choice for those who do not wish to leap on the fancy new technology bandwagon. The opportunity is to try to work with government, designers and manufacturers to ensure that industry standards take account of diverse needs, which is exactly what we’re trying to do on various fronts.
Tony
A recent report from Pew Internet says that the internet is now a major channel of interaction for teenagers in America, I’m sure ours in the UK aren’t too far behind them. Organisations who provide support and services to this group are going to have to make sure they target their efforts to make the best use of social media and similar channels.