tackling digital exclusion, robin spinks, rnib
DESCRIPTION
Robin Spinks from RNIB presents at the Fourth Social Digital Symposium 24 January 2013TRANSCRIPT
Tackling Digital Exclusion: Older People with Sight
Loss and the Internet
Angela Edwards and Robin Mackenzie Spinks
The Digital Inclusion Context
• Race Online 2012 and Go On UK, Go On Gold initiatives
• Move towards digital by default in all areas of life
• Digital inclusion and social inclusion
• Lack of connectivity and marginalization
• BT and RNIB working in partnership since late 2011
Project Aims• Identify the barriers and enablers to
getting online for older people with sight loss
• Identify the types of activities that people would like to engage with
• Make recommendations that will enable older people with sight loss to get online if they so wish
Methodology• Multi method approach to research
• Telephone survey of 300 blind and partially sighted people
• In depth interviews and discussion groups
• Telephone interviews with IT trainers
• Literature review and CCP framework
Key Findings
• Getting interested
• What is needed to get online
• Making it work
• Enjoying the benefits
• Managing the risks
Recommendations for RNIB
• RNIB innovatively promoting the benefits to getting online in relation to everyday activities
• Working in partnership for the digital inclusion of older people with sight loss
• Working to enhance support through formal training, volunteer services, telephone support and peer support
Recommendations for Government
• Prioritise digital inclusion of older people with sight loss as a social inclusion measure
• Financial assistance to achieve this
• Recognise that some people will remain offline
Outcomes• Launch of Accessible Online campaign and 180 Day
WebSight Challenge in association with PC Pro
• Production of Getting Started guides
• Switch On to Technology month 2012
• Planned Roundtable with key stakeholders hosted by BT
• RNIB WebWatcher network has launched
• Opportunities for inter generational learning
Thank [email protected]