Digital inclusion on the national agenda

A recent opinion piece published in the Financial Review, “Computer skills build thriving communities” has called to attention the significance of digital inclusion in our society from both a social and economic perspective.

The Infoxchange Wired Community @ Collingwood enterprise is Australia’s largest grassroots digital inclusion initiative connecting public housing residents in inner Melbourne.

It was visited by the opinion piece writer who claimed that this experience highlighted an important point that is yet to be debated as we look to “turbo charge the digitalisation of our economy” through investments such as the national broadband network.

Public debate has focused on the actual wiring and speed of new internet and communication forays. The underlying issue with this progression in technology lies within our most disadvantaged communities. They are at risk of falling behind as technology moves forward rapidly, particularly as services such as Centrelink and other community organisations become a paperless process,

“Digital inclusion ensures all those in our communities who wish to access new technologies and the benefits that digital inclusion brings are able to do so, irrespective of income, ability or disadvantage” says Infoxchange Executive Director, Andrew Mahar.