Jenny Brogden Consultant UK

Transcription

1 Jenny Brogden Consultant UK

2 Government Priorities in Closing Rural Digital Divides

3 What I would like to cover The problems faced in the UK Barriers to Digital Inclusion Overcoming the Barriers Examples Way forward

4 In the last three decades globalisation has transformed our lives New technologies have made it quicker and cheaper to communicate long-distance Creating opportunities that didn't exist before 7 out of 10 businesses communicate directly with customers through the web In billion of UK business was over the web

5 UK Government is shifting services online

6 We can enjoy the benefits of technology in every aspect of our day-to-day lives

7 ICT now lies at the heart of most of the activities which are seen to constitute social inclusion futurelab "In today's society, access to information by all citizens is a right as well as a condition for prosperity. It is neither morally acceptable nor economically sustainable to leave millions of people behind, unable to use Information and Communications Technologies to their advantage, Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media.30/11/07

8 Not EVERYONE in Europe is benefiting from the opportunities provided by new technologies

9 The divide within the divide 11% don't have a mobile phone 27% don't yet have a digital TV, and 26% of those who do, have non-interactive forms of Digital Terrestrial TV 33% of UK households don't have a home computer 39% of adults in the UK don't use the internet and 27% of adults have never used the Internet 23% of children have never accessed the internet from home and 29% lack such access 47% - do not want to, do not need to or have no interest

10 An estimated 22% of the population (11.3) people are socially excluded They suffer three or more disadvantages such as: unemployment living in workless households no qualifications social housing overcrowded poor mental health poor health living alone lacking consumer durables or enduring financial stress.

11 75% of socially excluded people do not use the internet 11

12 What are the Barriers So what are the Barriers?

13 The Barriers Cost Connectivity Capability Content Community

14 Examples of good practice

15 An innovative scheme that looks to match Individuals who need to work odd hours around other commitments in their life (eg lone parents, carers, those restricted by illness, students, retirees, etc) with. Organisations that need a pool of top up workers at irregular times (eg. Commercial service providers, caterers, retailers, manufacturers, leisure industry and local authorities Cambridge, Newham, Leeds, Westminster, Kirklees

16 Working4 the homeless It can be frustrating not having a telephone, especially when one moves out of an old residence. The voic really has helped me in having constant contact, especially from employment agencies. A free service voic for anyone who does not have a permanent place to stay and no phone number. Used to find a job, hear from family and friends, keep in touch with support workers, or look for more permanent housing. Homeless people can register free of charge at St Mungo s projects A number with a London code (0208) to retrieve their messages Users leave a personal outgoing message when they register Based on a telecoms network from Evoxus, a pilot scheme has been in operation for some time at a sample of St Mungo s projects.

17 DigiTV comes of age 55% of all households have access to Looking Local on DiTV - this will grow to around 65%, by 2010 Choice Based Lettings Service in Wychavon: I have an autistic son which sometimes means I am up a lot in the night, to have the chance to contact a council and request information on the bidding scheme and to ask to be registered was very good. I don t have a computer but found the DiGi TV link at 4 o clock in the morning; it was very simple to use and felt as if I had made contact and got a job done. I had a register form and information pack in the post the next day from Wychavon, I can now look and bid for properties from my sofa Mobile delivery can reach 85% of the adult population. 80 LA s signed up have a business case for providing DiTV as a channel Average saving for an LA after costs is 32K Plug in allows integration with back end systems National partnerships with Transport Direct and Jobcentre Plus allowing journey planning and job search nationwide Working with all other TV outfits in public sector, plus partnerships with private sector. Just launched on BT Vision and about to trial some video content with Virgin

18 If it can do something here. The Gorbals Library and Real Learning Centre Library Free membership Free events and activities Books, magazines and newspapers including large print and audio books Wide range of CDs, videos and DVDs Refreshment area Youth zone Services for community language speakers and disabled users Real Learning Centre Free Internet and Free use of 50 PC and Mac workstations Free Computer courses for all skill levels Free online learning courses and materials Free family learning activities Latest digital and wireless technology Wide range of software, CD ROMs and DVDs Supported Adult learning opportunities

19 Did she say Plearning? I just really started enjoying my homework I think the books are great It s cool The Kit 2000 pupils and their teachers in 18 schools are using Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox 720 PDAs, with Microsoft Windows Mobile software. Ethos: The learner has the device 24/7 The teacher is KEY to the whole project Learners can and will become more expert than adults There is complete wireless coverage in the school Content and applications are of equal importance Learning can take place at different rates and at different times Collaboration and peer support are to be encouraged "Plearning" (Play/Learning) is valued

20 Significant - SignVideo Deaf citizens have given this service their thumbs-up by giving it an average rating of over 95% regarding satisfaction. SignVideo Contact Centre deaf sign language users cannot get the service, unless an interpreter is pre-booked. Accessibility The service is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) Rapid access to a Sign Language interpreter is guaranteed No advance booking is required Value for Money SignVideo addresses the shortage of sign language interpreters by making the most of the latest technology. No call out fees No travel expenses Contracts are suited to fit IF ONLY THIS WAS 24 hours it could be

21 Boys2men Digital Unite Inclusion through Innovation = transformed lives 21

22 What are we learning from such projects? 22

23 Some lessons Still learning some of the early lessons People issues, not just technology Listen, listen, listen Measurable benefits Not always the benefits you expect

24 Some lessons 2 Despite developments in technology the uptake of ICT has largely plateaued. Access to ICT is not enough a proportion of non-users of the internet reside in connected households. There is a demonstrable correlation between social and digital exclusion.

25 Learning Digital exclusion is unlikely to be adequately addressed in isolation from other policy areas. A significant proportion of the digitally excluded are at risk of deepening exclusion. Penetration by market forces is unlikely to eliminate digital exclusion.

26 Learning 2 Digital exclusion is also unlikely to disappear over time through demographic developments. Extending digital inclusion can have tangible beneficial impact for national productivity and GDP

27 Issues for Government Need to start from understanding the case for digital inclusion the link with social inclusion Understanding and taking on board the key requirements for users motivation, access, skills, or 3Cs

28 Issues for Government 2 There are lots of Barriers But many are around service providers partnering, innovation, leadership, political will, lack of strategy, unco-ordinated activity, technology led, money, understanding, awareness

29 Issues for Government 3 Barriers can be tackled leadership development, good case studies, business case, technical investment, money, involve business, identify benefits, sustainability Embedding how to mainstream thinking about digital inclusion professional bodies influencing thinking, build into performance measures, making the business case, involving local people, tax incentives, IT people and service managers working together

30 What should Governments do? Infrastructure support for rural areas Encourage and develop the right partnerships Develop community/citizen capacity Explore and support next generation connectivity Ensure sustainability of innovation & environmental issues

31 What should governments do 2 Increase capacity building across government sectors Encourage grass roots collaboration & social innovation Collate and exchange good practice across sectors Ensure that projects are not short term and are evaluated

32 Collaboration & Codesign Private Sector Public Sector Disadvantaged communities Social Enterprise Local Gov Local Strategic Partnerships Regional Gov Health Authorities Voluntary & Community Sector

33 A cleaner, greener, safer environment Results could be - Transformed communities, transformed lives Fully interconnected rural and other disadvantaged communities Greater choice of services, information and how those services are delivered 24/7 service and help responses Learning and creative individuals and communities Active civic engagement and good governance

34 Innovative uses of technology can support effective services that improve lives and life chances whether it is in rural or urban areas

35 Thank you for listening Questions and Discussion 35