Libraries and the Digital Divide

Libraries and the Digital Divide

Providing technology for increased accessibility

Post by Jennifer Fischer

The "Digital Divide" is what is described as the gap between those who have support, knowledge of, and access to modern technology for information and communication. Factors that may contribute to the digital divide are socioeconomic factors such as income or access to technology in rural areas, as well as disabilities that hinder an individuals' use of technology for communicating or accessing information.

The author, Susan D. Moisey, of the article, "The Inclusive Libraries Initiative: enhancing the access of persons with developmental disabilities to information and communication technology," describes more factors that also contribute to the digital divide. Moisey discusses the role of libraries in helping bridge this gap for those with disabilities. Implementing assistive technology in libraries to help those who are unable to use modern technology because of disabilities can help bridge the digital divide by providing help to communicate, gain social support, or access information through the Internet (Moisey, 2007). 

Certain libraries in this study from the article implemented programs for those with developmental disabilities, such as "Active Reading," in which the patrons and library staff download ebooks and use "text-to-speech software" to promote literacy and give individuals more private access to information (Moisey, 2007). This helps these patrons feel a sense of independence in accessing information without having another person there to rely on to read material out loud. Some other assistive technology that helps promote bridging the gap in the digital divide are special work stations with speakers and headphones, large or extra large keyboards, as well as text-to-speech technologies (Moisey, 2007). The article describes more ways to implement these projects in your library, and more about how this is a great way to provide resources and technology to those who are under-served. 

I think accessing information and being able to communicate for disabled peoples is a huge part of the digital divide and I hope more libraries will be able to implement assistive technology to bridge that gap!

Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/nsTvcCcn7sgmmYi46 

Moisey, S. D. (2007). The inclusive libraries initiative: enhancing the access of persons with developmental disabilities to information and communication technology. Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 35(1–2), 56–71. https://doi-org.ezproxy.palomar.edu/https://www.ualberta.ca/~jpdasddc/bulletin/index.html