
Digital Divide Kimberley Heitman, B.Juris, Llb, AACS Director of Legal Services, University of Western Australia www.kheitman.com
Overview • As computer professionals, you may decide to act as enthusiasts for your profession and its ability to transform lives. • The Digital Divide is a real issue for those left behind by the information economy by reason of lack of education or money. • Both educational and financial barriers must be overcome. Not everyone can access information.
The Barriers • Disability • Illiteracy • ESL • Cost • Time • Aversion • Any others?
Things you can do • Educate • Finance • Persuade • Enable • Lead
Things you can do now • Computer Angels – www.ca.asn.au • Training – www.internetcommunityhour.com • WAIX – www.waia.asn.au • FreeNet – www.wafreenet.org • Open Source – www.auug.org.au • Usability – www.chisig.org • Civil liberties – www.efa.org.au
Things that still need doing • Cheap Internet Device • Access to repairs • "Firmware" open source • ESL trainers • WAIX content and services • Regulatory environment • Grunt volunteer work :-)
Thank you. Any Questions? • Kimberley Heitman kheitman@kheitman.com