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Imagine spending a year with no access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including the computers and the Internet. How would your life be changed? Would you still be able to communicate with friends and family members as easily? Would you still be able to search and apply for jobs as efficiently? Would you still be able access up-to-date information on healthcare and education as quickly? Would you be able to promote and sell your services or products as effectively, or buy goods and services from others as easily? Chances are, these activities and many more would be seriously—and negatively—affected by this lack of access to ICTs.
This may seem like a step back into a murky past that no longer exists—a time when desktop and laptop computers were a thing of the far, distant future, and the Internet was not even remotely imaginable. Unfortunately for many, this is the reality here in Vancouver, across Canada and the world. Many people are not able to utilize these all-important ICTs, and in this way, are not able to participate in modern society in the same way that frequent users can. They are at a disadvantage due to this Digital Divide. In fact, the Digital Divide affects all of us in some way or other.
What is the Digital Divide, you ask? The Digital Divide refers to the gap between those who use ICTs effectively and those who do not. It includes both the lack of access to and the lack of skills and abilities to use these technologies to their full extent. The reality is, there is a huge discrepancy between those who benefit from ICTs and those who don’t. We need to bridge this gap!
Vancouver Community Network (VCN) is one organization that is working hard to ensure that EVERYONE has the ability to effectively use and adopt such ICTs as computers and the Internet. VCN provides free web-hosting, computer classes and it administers Industry Canada’s Community Access Program (CAP) & the Community Access Program Youth Initiative (CAPYI). CAP & CAPYI provide communities with access to computers, Internet, and educational programs so that people can benefit from the use of computers. CAP is an important program that is dedicated to bridging the Digital Divide, and many people have benefited from this program. All the contributions to this blog have been written by CAPYI Youth Interns!
The thing is, CAP is at risk of having its funding cut. If this happens, communities in Vancouver and across Canada will no longer be able to benefit from this valuable resource. Read more on this site on how to support CAP and help to bridge the Digital Divide—a problem that is still very real.
On this site you will find information about…
demographics of the digital divide: who does it affect (in essence, everyone!) and how
Canadian policy regarding telecommunications
solutions to bridging the Digital Divide (free software, anyone?)
what programs like CAP are doing to help
…and much more!
By Jenny Parser, CAP YI 2010 Intern
1. Most people either have a computer at home, or have access to one; there is no digital divide any more!
While access to computers and technology certainly is a large part of what is known as the “Digital Divide,” this is not the only aspect of this issue. The digital divide also refers to the gap between those who have the skills and abilities to use—and benefit from—Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and those who do not. Thus, many people are affected, including those with physical and mental disabilities, senior citizens, and even university and high-school students who are not using the Internet to its full extent! Also, the issue of access still exists. There are still many people locally in Vancouver, across the country, and globally that do not have access to either computers or high-speed internet. The fact is, the digital divide is still a problem!
2. The digital divide refers only to rural communities not having high-speed internet access.
Access to high-speed internet is definitely part of the digital divide. High-speed internet is important to being able to use the internet effectively so that it is possible to benefit from it. For example, most web pages now have videos and detailed images on them, which require high-speed internet to view them properly. The thing is, rural communities are not the only communities that face barriers in accessing high-speed internet. The cost of broadband is very high here in Canada—in fact, broadband in Canada is more expensive than in most developed countries—which means many people in urban centres, along with rural communities, can’t afford to pay for high-speed internet. Plus, this is just one aspect of the digital divide! The digital divide, as mentioned above, is not only about access to the Internet. See other sections of our web-site to learn more!
3. The digital divide only affects people from low-income households.
There are many areas of the digital divide, from not being able to afford ICTs, to those living in rural communities that do not have high-speed internet available to them, to those with physical disabilities that prevent them from using computers. These are just some demographics, and there are more. The fact is, everyone is affected by the digital divide to some extent.
4. It is the responsibility of telecommunications companies—like TELUS—to develop initiatives that help bridge the digital divide.
Policy in Canada about the telecommunications industry mentions the need to let the market take care of the digital divide. In fact, the Telecommunications Act explicitly states that market forces should shape the cost of and access to telecommunications, with the government interfering as little as possible. The thing is, big telecommunications corporations, such as the ones that own the infrastructure in Canada, generally develop products and services for people who make the most money. This is because there is the most potential for profit if companies market products to people who have more money. If we simply let market forces determine availability and cost of telecommunications products and services, a large proportion of people are missing out on some of the most important resources of our society. Simply put, the government needs to develop policies that ensure all citizens have effective, affordable (or, better, free!) access to and education about the Internet.
5. I have access to the Internet and have the knowledge and skills to use it effectively. I don’t need to care about bridging the digital divide because I do not benefit from this effort!
The effort to bridge the digital divide comes with many, many advantages that are far-reaching. Everyone has something to gain from moving towards a society where the Internet (and other ICTs) is used by all people to its full extent.
Here are some examples:
• all communities experience gains in their local economies with every incremental increase in broadband in their community
• societies become more democratic as governmental information is more accessible to all
• the health of communities is improved because information is readily available to everyone
• costs of software programs, through open source technologies being developed are lessened (an example of such a program is OpenOffice, which is very similar to Microsoft Office, but is FREE)
These are just some of the many, many benefits of bridging the gap!
6. There is nothing I can do to help.
VCN is an organization that is working hard to bridge the gap by providing communities with free connectivity, email accounts, and free web-hosting in Vancouver. It also administrates Industry Canada’s Community Access Program (CAP) in the Lower Mainland. This program provides communities with FREE access to computers, the Internet, and also offers FREE educational programs so that everyone can benefit from ICTs. However, CAP is facing cuts in funding from Industry Canada, and will not be able to run without such funding. You can help keep CAP alive, and as a result, help bridge the digital divide, by:
• writing to your local MP about the need to keep funding for CAP alive
• visiting us at community events (which we’ll post regularly) to learn more and show your support
