Participate 3.1.1 Access to the Digital Community

First, I would like to share this video found on the WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) website.  It is only 2 minutes long but I think it's pretty powerful for any online teacher or web designer to see the faces and hear firsthand the problems that people with disabilities face in regards to using the internet.

As far as National Broadband goes, pretty much every area near me had 100%.  The lowest in GA was 78% which was in a pretty rural area.  Being in a major metropolitan area definitely has benefits as far as technology goes.

• What types of barriers might impede students’ opportunities to access digital learning?

I found this article from the Economics and Statistics Administration about computer and internet use at home to be pretty interesting but one main concern that I had with it is that it is dated 2011.  It is now 2014 and as shown in the article, technological growth happens pretty quickly so I can only imagine how much has changed since publication.

Based on this information I created this pie chart showing what seem to be the biggest constraints or factors affecting internet access and usage.  Do you think that the percentages are accurate?  What would you change?

• What might we do to eliminate such barriers?

Honestly, I can already answer my own questions posed above.  The percentages are not accurate.  Affordability, socioeconomic status, level of education, and race all kind of go hand in hand to create the biggest impediment; I may even allocate 50% on the pie chart for this category.  Offering free, online education like GaVS does is one great way to eliminate these barriers; ideally, higher education leads to higher income and access to resources.  But, it's kind of a chicken and the egg; if one can not access the internet to take the online classes it may not be helpful. Public libraries are great places to access technology for free so maybe we should spend time reaching out to government officials to make sure that libraries are well-stocked, available, and accessible.  This site, Contact your Government, is a great place to start letting your voice be heard.  Lots of issues affect our communities and our children everyday so here we can begin to make changes.  As educators, we can also be informed and careful to make our lessons and activities accessible to students with disabilities.  This quest has been an eye opener!