Participate 3.1.1 Access to the Digital Community Quest

Participate 3.1.1 Access to the Digital Community Quest

I guess I would categorize myself as Internet Wealthy- I have access to the internet 24/7 and I really have never thought about not having it, because when my power or internet goes down at home- I still have my wireless iphone or ipad I can utilize. This is the same for my husband and children.

My speed on the internet is:

http://www.speedtest.net/my-result/3678506990

http://www.speedtest.net/result/3678506990.png

I do not think my home upload and download speed is great! I need to work on getting a better service! I need to check it at work and compare my work speed and home speed!

My home county is Gordon and it is ranked in speed 65th and Floyd county my work county is ranked 78th- I do feel at a disadvantage where I live and work- but at least I am not 159th!

The PEW report findings were very informative to me. It really opened my eyes to see how many citizens still are not online! This was very interesting to also see the jump in numbers from 2000 to 2011!

I have considered lower ses populations, minorities, lower educations as barriers in internet exploration and accessibility, however the group that has not crossed my mind were people with disabilities. After reading on WebAIM about these population and how internet is wonderful and hindering to them. There are so many different accommodations that are needed among the diversity of citizens with disabilities that is hard for a single website to offer all of these on one site. 

GRADE- Georgia Tech's modules for teaching students online with disabilities is a wonderful growth opportunity for teachers to really look at how to accommodate those with disabilities outside the classroom.

Another group that has a huge disadvantage with internet and computer accessibility and knowledge is the unemployed. Those of us that are in the workplace know that our knowledge in the internet and with computer programs comes on a daily basis at work and on the job! We are have to learn different programs, research on the internet, answer emails, working on documents, spreadsheets, etc.. If we are working we have an advantage over those that are not due to our demand of online job related tasks. 

Types of barriers might impede students’ opportunities to access digital learning	Solutions to eliminate barriers
Education	Offer free tutorials at schools, libraries, shelters
Unemployed/Homeless	Programs to use devices at Social Security offices, unemployment offices, shelters, other government agencies
Minorities	Schools can reach out to this populations to offer special trainings or events to target these groups
Senior Adults- age	Reverse mentor program- partner younger kids with an senior citizen to share how to utilize internet and devices
Attitude- scared of internet	Need to educate folks on what is good about the internet and dismiss the myths
Disabilities	Reach out to embrace this group by offering services and accommodations online to help their disability