Section Divider: Heading intro here. Fostering e-inclusion: the experience of UK online centres

E-inclusion survey…. Beginner Web pioneer

What do we mean by e-inclusion? “The use of digital technology, either directly or indirectly, to improve the lives and life chances of all citizens and the places in which they live.” The goal is not to get people using technology, it’s about the uses of technology to impact on and transform people’s lives.

The evidence ›17 million people in the UK not using computers and the internet: 1 in 3 adults ›75% of socially excluded people also digitally excluded ›50% of people without access to the internet are 65+ ›49% are in social class DEs ›75% are not working (inc retired and looking for work) ›28% are in social housing ›66% stopped at secondary school level (eg only 2% have a higher degree) ›86% don’t have children under 18

Myths and reality about e-Inclusion ›“The internet is a luxury commodity”… Technology is essential to economy and society eg 90% of jobs require computer skills and pupils with home internet access have measurable increases to exam grades. ›“It’s just older people who aren’t online” The digital divide is not just generational – it’s also social. ›Market forces will solve the issues No evidence that market forces alone will solve the issue. In the UK, internet growth plateaued between 2004 and 2006.

The problem is both wide and deep.. As some excluded people become included, the divide narrows. But this also deepens the divide – those who are left become more entrenched in their exclusion. 1 2 Width – the difference between the number of people included and excluded Depth – the severity/depth of exclusion

What do we need to do to foster e-inclusion? GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THIRD/PRIVATE/PUBLIC SECTORS ACCESS MOTIVATION PROFICIENCY: SKILLS + CONFIDENCE

Access: the UK picture ›6,000 UK online centres providing community access in libraries, pubs, charitable organisations, adult education colleges ›Telecentre Europe ›Government has just announced support of £300m to provide home access for disadvantaged school children and their families ›More to be done: make internet access integral requirement for new housing

Proficiency: the UK picture (adults) ›Informal ICT training –little government funding available ›Active voluntary and community sector taking lead ›UK online centres provide informal support ›Myguide – – launched October 2007 and already has had more than 100,000 registrationswww.myguide.gov.uk ›Media literacy: access, understand, create

UK online centre user journey From Digital and Social Exclusion (Welcome) Through learning and skills (First & Next steps) To confident citizen (Moving on) OutreachComputer & internet skillsAdvanced internet skills MarketingAccess to online information Advice & Guidance Information, advice & guidance Simple online government transactions Complex online government transactions InspirationTasters & AssessmentsFurther learning MentoringSteps towards employment Personal supportReferrals to other services and providers Partnership workingCreating own content

Motivation: the UK picture ›Those who are digitally excluded often need help and support – community intermediaries crucial ›Supported by national PR and marketing campaigns eg Get online day, Silver Surfers day. ›Targeted projects e.g. Social Impact Demonstrator project

Government leadership and partnerships ›Digital Inclusion Minister ›Cabinet Committee ›Digital Inclusion Action Plan ›National Digital Inclusion Conference ›Partnerships starting to be formed eg UK online centres/Microsoft

Impact on public policy ›Adult education ›e-Government: online public services ›Social inclusion ›E-democracy

Research ›Understanding Digital Inclusion (2007) ›Economic benefits of digital inclusion (2008) ›Social impact of digital inclusion (2008) Helping to build a compelling business case for digital inclusion

Thank you Anne Faulkner Head of Policy and Business Development, UK online centres