Having grown up just on the cusp of the digital explosion, I
can still clearly remember when my dad unpacked our very first computer. I
remember its long, tube-like boxiness, its green text on a darker green
background, the strange clicking sounds it made as it thought, and most of all,
I remember its worthlessness. That very first Apple cost my dad an absolute
fortune and as far as I could tell, provided almost nothing in return. However,
I say almost nothing because it did very
clearly and specifically provide one important function and that was to
indicate to all that we were a family of certain means that was not about to be
found on the wrong side of the digital divide. Of course, that was long before
the term digital divide had even come into existence and even before such a
divide was thought possible. Yet now, this phrase has moved through the
progression from birth to key buzzword to such overuse as to nearly lose it’s
meaning and thus, before we move on to the true meat of this entry; the role of age and disability in the digital
divide and what can be done about it, let us first, re-visit the definition of
this phrase and then re-pack it with meaning if you will.
As defined by the ALA, the digital divide is “differences due to geography, race, economic status, gender, and physical ability in access to information through the Internet, and other information technologies and services and in the skills, knowledge, and abilities to use information, the Internet and other technologies” (as cited in Lor, 2002, p.65). This whopper of a definition it seems to me, is really saying something quite simple and that is that the digital divide is difference that impinges upon ability to utilize information technologies no matter what the difference is, or what form the impingement takes. And thusly redefined and repacked with meaning, we can move on to examine first age and then disability as the differences in question.
It is rather obvious I believe, as to how age, and more specifically being of the age that brings with it certain AARP benefits, can impinge upon ones ability to utilize information technology. As human beings, we innately fear change and difference, this is instinctual, what we are aware of hasn’t killed us yet but we aren’t so sure about everything else and therefore, something different like computers and the Internet are bound to produce some fear. Add in the facts that these tools are highly complex, frequently have small and fast moving parts, do things we aren’t entirely sure we told them to do, and that it is highly likely that most aged individuals got by just fine without them for the better part of their lives, and you have quite a barrier. Now couple that with their high cost, their instruction manuals that could put Greek epics to shame (which are still looked upon as the method in which one learns everything new by many older individuals), and finally the fact that for those unlike myself that grew up long before the technology explosion, these technologies are not intuitive and you have a barrier that feels a bit insurmountable. The disabled as well may struggle with many of the same barriers however, top all of this off with the possibility of the physical inability to use the technology as it is typically made and now we really are talking insurmountable. What then are libraries and information agencies to do? How can we, to use another over-wrought phrase, bridge the divide?
The most important thing we can do, and the essential first step as libraries and information agencies is to make these technologies readily available within a highly welcoming environment. This step should not be as simple as publicly accessible computers. Accessibility and a welcoming environment go beyond “putting something out there.” Instead, we must make sure our physical facilities are accessible for the aged and disabled. This means the sometimes expensive process of making everything ADA accessible. We must also make sure the technology itself is accessible and while budget limited libraries and agencies cannot afford every adaptation necessary, some basics such as making sure a wheelchair can fit underneath a computer desk and that the headphone jack is easily accessible for someone with limited mobility can make a big difference. For those institutions with slightly larger budgets, screen magnification software and a large key keyboard on at least one machine ought to be standard. A welcoming environment also means staff willingness and ability to help those that need it with these technologies. 15 minutes of personal instruction can go a long ways. Of course this is not always possible and that is why basic computer and Internet skills must be offered regularly. The library or agency that is truly attempting to bridge or break down the divide though, will not rest within their own building but should look to partner with institutions that serve those that frequently end up on the wrong side of this divide. Taking these same basic computer and Internet skill classes to senior centers or nursing homes could again, make a big difference. These are just a few possible solutions and the wonderful thing about a problem being coined into a key buzzword, is that unlike my first computer, utilizing this buzzword when searching for other solutions and resources is highly effective.
Resources
Lor, P. (2002). National Libraries and the Digital Divide. Retrieved from http://www.cdnl.info/2003/09digdiv.pdf
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