Digital Inclusion: Measuring the Impact of Information and Community Technology

Citation

de Kock, M. (2010), "Digital Inclusion: Measuring the Impact of Information and Community Technology", Online Information Review, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 659-660. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684521011073052

This book is about digital inclusion in Washington State, how the Communities Connect Network mobilised to make a long‐lasting difference in the lives of many people and gained the attention of policy makers to enact a law recognising that impact. It provides a framework for thinking about the effects of community technology on digital inclusion and presents concrete examples of the impact successful community technology providers have had on individual users, communities, and society as a whole.

The definition of “digital inclusion” used in the book embraces three elements: “1) access, 2) technology literacy, and 3) relevant online content and services … ”, emphasising that digital inclusion is not simply about extending the use of information technology but about information literacy, education and training in the use of technology and information services and about the provision of services themselves.

The second section of the book presents seven cases. The cases are diverse, ranging from “Reel Grrls – Using Technology to Empower Young Women” to “Washington CASH – Building Financial Assets”. “Reel‐Grrls” is a programme for girls aged 13 to 19, aimed at empowering them through an introduction to media production. The rationale for this is that women are grossly under‐represented in Hollywood in production, cinematography and directing. “Washington CASH” (Community Alliance for Self‐Help) is designed to enable people from poor economic backgrounds to begin their own businesses. The technology input is secondary in a project of this kind, but, given the extent to which starting up a business depends crucially upon information on markets, suppliers, sources of financial support, and so on, access through the technology to the internet is clearly important.

The third part of the book reviews the situated logic model and provides guidance on how to employ the model in evaluating community programmes of these kinds. In the end, however helpful they may be for particular groups or communities at particular times (and the work explored here has clearly been useful), programmes to stimulate “digital inclusion” will have only marginal effects, because the cause of social and digital exclusion is income inequality – as long as there is poverty, the poor will be excluded from what the rest of society takes for granted.

This is very much a case study demonstrating the value of community action when given sufficient financial support. It proves that the digital divide can be overcome and, most importantly, that there are values to be gained from doing so. It is an inspiring book to be included on the shelves of community, public, research and academic libraries.