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Wireless Technology and Access to Justice

This article by Jessica Hill explores the critical role of wireless technology in improving access to justice for underserved populations. It discusses how essential telecommunications services are as crucial as basic needs like food and shelter. The Digital Divide highlights disparities in internet access based on ethnicity and income. Wireless technologies, such as smartphones and handheld devices, empower advocates and self-represented litigants by providing tools like the Digital Courthouse, CourtNet applications, and resources tailored to low-income users.

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Wireless Technology and Access to Justice

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  1. Wireless TechnologyandAccess to Justice By Jessica Hill

  2. “People lack many things: jobs, shelter, food, Health care and drinkable water. Today, being cut off from basic telecommunications services is a hardship almost as acute as these other deprivations, and may indeed reduce the chances of finding remedies to them.” Kofi Anan, Secretary General

  3. Wireless Technologies • Cellular phones • Notebook Computers • Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) • Handheld computers allowing instant access to phone #s, addresses, appointments, email, Web browsing • Can synchronize with desktop computer to update information instantly • Range in cost from $100 to $1000.

  4. Wireless Technology (continued) • BlackBerries • Handheld device enables user to receive email via the server at his workplace • Server automatically forwards emails to handheld device, user receives notification, can then view email and reply

  5. Advantages • Most of the advantages are for advocates, indirectly for clients • Advocate can work more efficiently • Advocate can be more readily available to clients • Advocates can work more collaboratively with other advocates, organizations, social services

  6. Technology Adoption Life Cycle • Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore • Develops and discusses market development patterns in technology-based markets • Groups market into five groups

  7. Five Groups • Innovators • Techies – will try anything • Early Adopters • Want to get ahead of herd • Early Majority • Pragmatists – want to stick with the herd • Late Majority • Conservatives • Laggards • Skeptics

  8. To gain mass market success, the pragmatists MUST adopt the technology. • The gap between the early adopters and the pragmatists is where the technology will either catch on or fail.

  9. The Digital Divide • Factors • Ethnicity • Those who have access to internet • National Average – 41% • African-Americans & Hispanics – 23% • Income • 78% of households making more than $75,000 have internet access at home • 38% of households making between $25,000 and $30,000 have access at home • 25% of households making less than $25,000 have access at home

  10. Factors (continued) • Education Level • Age • Location • Literacy • Language

  11. The Digital Divide (continued) • Physical access alone as a solution is not enough, other barriers exist • Differences in knowledge and computer skills • Differences in attitude towards using computers • Inadequate online content available for needs of low-income citizens

  12. The Digital Divide (continued) • Must ensure that each person has meaningful access to the internet and new communications technologies • Must create useful content on the internet, material and applications that serve the needs of low-income users • Local information about their communities • Information about employment, education • Information understandable for those with limited literacy skills, information in multiple languages, culturally appropriate content

  13. How can Wireless Technology help the typical Self-Represented Litigant? • Digital Courthouse • CourtNet – set of applications and physical devices inside court building, between courts within each state, and with the internet

  14. Access to Justice Project • A few CourtNet system components: • Interactive Translator – software tool able to translate verbal and text-based information into different languages • General Info – explains about the court system in general • Archetype Finder – system of questions that guides litigant to his/her archetype (categorization based on type of case)

  15. System Components (continued) • Pursuit Elevator – allows litigant to evaluate whether pursuing a case will be worth time, money, and effort. Runs best/average/worst case scenarios • Complaint Formulator – assembles data into various formats based on litigant’s answers to questions • Court Navigator – portable device that provides guidance within court building. Especially useful for non-native speakers and disabled

  16. System Components (continued) • Legal Seat – kiosks or courtroom seats, delivers educational and logistical information to litigants • Community Connections – online networking system linking courts with community organizations, advocacy groups, social service agencies, park districts, neighborhood groups, churches, etc.

  17. The End.

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