What Does It Mean To Have Digital Access?

Digital access is the ability to fully participate in digital society. This includes access to tools and technologies, such as the Internet and computers, that allow for full participation.  Unfortunately, not everyone has complete digital access and therefore, are not able to fully participate in digital society. The separation between those who have complete access and those who do not is referred to as the Digital Divide.

The Digital Divide:
There are many levels of digital access - some individuals have more and others have less. There are many reasons why a digital divide exists. These include lack of resources to pay for hardware, technology, and Internet access; lack of electricity; lack of education and knowledge about the use of technology; and physical limitations that limit access. A report from the U.S. Department of Education stated that in 2003 only 41% of Blacks and Hispanics were using a computer at home whereas 77% of Whites had computer access at home.

The good news is that the digital divide appears to be shrinking over time. This is due to several factors:

• the cost of hardware required for digital access, especially computers, is decreasing
• the usability of websites is slowly increasing, making them more user-friendly
• access to broadband connections is increasing in the United States
  

A Study: The Digital Divide at Delaware Technical Community College

The Digital Access Survey on the right was administered to 37 students who are currently enrolled at Delaware Tech for the 2013-2014 school year. The goal of this survey was to determine if students have digital access at school, at home, and in their community; if they have access to assisstive technology; if they are aware of assistive technology that is available to them; and if they are using assisstive technology. Overall, this survey will help determine whether or not a digital divide exists among the students at Delaware Tech.

Below is a summary of the results from this survey:

Question 1: How frequently is the use of a computer or electronic device (ex: iPad, cellphone) required in your school?

• 86%: once a week
• 11%: several days a week
• 3% every day

Question 2: Are computers or electronic devices available at your school for student use?

• 100%: yes

Question 3: Do you have access to a computer or electronic device when you are not at school?

• 97%: yes
• 3%: no
  

Question 4: Do you have access to the Internet when you are not at school?

• 97%: yes
• 3%: no
  

Question 5: If you answered "No" or "Sometimes" to either question #3 or 4 (or both), please continue with this question. Check of all of the reasons why you do not or only sometimes have access to a computer or electronic device outside of school.

• 100%: limited monetary resources

Question 6: Where do you typically access a computer or electronic device when you are not at school?

• 97%: at home
• 92%: at work
• 3%: at a library

Question 7: Are you familiar with any of the assistive technology that is available on the computer or electronic device that you typically use?

• 95%: I do not know what assisstive technology is

• 3%: no

• 2%: yes

Question 8: Has an instructor at your school ever taught you about any types of assistive technology that are available?

• 100%: no

Question 9: Do you feel that you need assistance in any of the following areas when you are using a computer or electronic device? Check all of the areas that apply.

• 40%: Understanding web content

• 14%: Using the mouse with a computer

• 3%: Seeing the computer screen

Digital Access Survey

If you would like to provide your feedback regarding digital access, please complete the survey below:

Survey Results

Several items stood out after reviewing the survey results:

1. Delaware Tech provides its students with computers and/or other electronic devices as well as Internet access, but not all students have access to this technology outside of the classroom. 
2. Delaware Tech incorporates technology in the classroom, which is great, but instructors are not explaining to their students the various types of assisstive technology that are available.
3. Several students have needs that may require the use of assisstive technology, and they are interested in learning about these tools. 
   

Assisstive Technology

Assisstive technology may be a device, an app, software, or a piece of equipment that facilitates the use of computers, electronic devices, and technology in general for individuals with special needs. These helpful tools can be purchased, but many of them are free of charge in the form of apps or software. There are also websites, such as the World Wide Web Consortium and the Special Needs and Technology page, that supply information about accessibility.

Macintosh computers come with their own set of assisstive tools, and the Windows software for PC computers does as well. Below, I have created a flyer that explains one of the assisstive tools that comes with Windows, the magnifier tool.