Access to Technology

The digital divide reflects inequalities 

The disparity of opportunity between those who have abundant digital resources — devices for various purposes, adequate broadband capacity and a network of support — and those who do not reflects social inequalities driven by income, age, education level and race.

The digital divide has an impact on individuals

At work, as citizens and in their daily lives, people without seamless access to digital technology are less able to:

• Curate resources and networks.
• Communicate.
• Access resources, services and opportunities.
• Collaborate.
• Develop and maintain essential networks.

The digital divide has a ripple effect

For example, people who aren’t able to participate in government consultations don’t have their perspectives included in research, which means government initiatives are less inclusive and effective.

Digital exclusion is also civic exclusion

Literacy practitioners know that limited access to technology can create insurmountable barriers for lifelong learners in Ontario.

Learn more about how to address the issue of access to technology.

The Digital Inclusion Playbook

Learn more about how the digital divide extends beyond access to technology and is fundamentally about the ability to benefit from it in a new paper co-written by Christine Pinsent-Johnson, one of our staff, and former staff member, Matthias Sturm.

Adult Education: The Missing Piece to Bridging the Digital Divide