Digital Inclusion is a topic that I keep returning to. Working in digital technology, it’s so easy to assume that everyone has access to the basic digital tools. Sadly, digital exclusion is as much of an issue now as it was when I first became aware of it when working in social housing back in the mid-2000s. So I will continue to champion digital inclusion initiatives, and make sure that the solutions I develop are never digital only.
Here’s me talking about the importance of digital inclusion at a recent Health Tech News webinar:
I did far more work on Digital Inclusion when I worked in social housing, sometimes with surprising results. I never thought that I’d facilitate a reunion… https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/8857253.camborne-friends-reunited-by-computer-course/
The work that I did was picked up by the local press: https://businesscornwall.co.uk/news-by-industry/public-sector-news-categories/2010/06/bridging-the-digital-divide/ and then the national press: https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2012/sep/15/top-tips-digital-inclusion-housing
This led to an invitation to become a Guardian expert panellist for their online debate on digital inclusion. https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2012/sep/07/live-discussion-digital-inclusion
We had some very flattering press coverage of my plan to address digital exclusion in our communities https://www.housing-technology.com/coastline-bridges-digital-divide/ and I was invited to speak about our initiatives at a Housing Technology conference, but sadly no photos survive.
Beth Lawton 