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Digital Transformation Gap

and The Way to Digital Inclusion

Over the past two years, as the world navigated the pandemic, we have seen aggressive digitization from businesses, schools, healthcare institutions, and government services on a global scale. While we were all mandated to stay indoors, we turned our focus to the internet and used it to survive. Unfortunately, as more people embraced the digital world, the digital transformation gap has become more apparent.

Digital Transformation Gap and The Way to Digital Inclusion

During the launch of UK Evidence Review 2022 - Inclusion to Equality, the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) pointed out the depth of digital poverty and its correlation to social inequalities and access to education. Different areas around the world have varied experiences with digital poverty, and it significantly impacts the overall improvement of lives and communities. 


According to DPA, “digital poverty is the inability to fully interact with the online world.” More often than not, people in developing nations are highly likely to experience digital poverty as well. The primary reason is financial incapacity and that owning a device and getting data is not cheap. Subsequently, digital exclusion is also caused by a lack of access to education and knowledge on the benefits of using technology and the internet. 


Shreds of evidence of digital poverty are seen during the pandemic, especially in the academe. In December 2020, UNICEF released a report saying that more than 60% of school-aged children do not have access to the internet or an internet-ready device. Moreover, due to school closures because of COVID-19, the educational gap widened, and children in poor living conditions were set further behind. 


Apart from people in poor communities, digital exclusion is also experienced by people of color and disability. As innovations continue to advance, people worldwide continue to be excluded from maximizing technology because it is not designed to be inclusive. For example, people with visual and auditory impairments continue to struggle using their phones. Artificial Intelligence also has a racial and gender bias.

Building a Bridge Toward Digital Inclusion

Charitable organizations like DPA pledge commitment to end digital poverty and ensure inclusion in digital transformation. A critical step in bridging the gap is through research and uniting public and private sectors in developing programs that educate people and provide access to technology. 


Pollicy, a Uganda-based civic tech organization, also created a toolkit for designers on how to make apps and other technologies more inclusive. “Inclusion: Not Just an Add-On” ensures that every design considers people of varying gender, race, disability, sexuality, and social status from conception to development. 

 

The guide also presents a creative way to understand end-users complexity through more diverse persona stories. Designers are offered different contexts that factor in intersectionality. The guide’s creators send a strong message as to why technologists need to include all types of people.

Elevate your DEI Programs

We want to share materials that resonate with diversity, equality, and inclusion using different platforms and formats. So feel free to check them out!

Workplace Disability Rights


HR Dive shares its insights on the accessibility aspect of DEI. In this article, HR Dive explores workplace disability rights and how companies can improve their processes. Read more...

Workplace Disability Rights Digital Inclusion for Those With Disabilities Can Lead to Financial Inclusion, Finds Mastercard


Mastercard released a study called Bridging the Disability Gap: An Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact, where they reveal that digital inclusion is a crucial step to financial inclusion for persons with disabilities. Through a compassionate approach and innovative technology solutions, accessibility to fintech is within reach.

Read more...

SpeechMatters Podcast: “Leading with Love in the Face of Targeted Harassment


Listen to Dania Matos, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Equity & Inclusion at the University of California, Berkeley, and Michelle Deutchman of SpeechMatters discuss how professionals can lead with love while staying committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Listen to the episode >

News and Upcoming Events

SpeechMatters Podcast: “Leading with Love in the Face of Targeted Harassment


In June 2022, Meta announced that it would change its algorithms to mitigate discrimination in housing and advertising. In their statement, Ashley Settle of Facebook said that they are “building a novel machine learning method without our ads system that will change the way housing ads are delivered to people residing in the US across different demographic groups.” Read more...

Building Better Towards a More Inclusive Future

In 2022, The Centre has developed its Strategic Plan, which is set for three years. It is an ambitious program that will hopefully excite our donors, contributors, and supporters. To sustain the momentum, we humbly ask for donations. We are creating a new journey.


To achieve the dream of how we can provide significant support to all regions of the globe in their DEI work and practices requires financial support. Our budget reflects the multi-million dollar needs to achieve the results we seek for our followers and users of our products and services around the globe.   


Through your donations, we will be able to move forward and guide more people. We all share the same goal of making the world inclusive for all.

Donate Here

Sincere thanks to our 2022 sponsors

To review past newsletters from The Centre for Global Inclusion, click HERE



The Centre for Global Inclusion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and home of the free Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDEIB). Its mission is to serve as a resource for research and education for organizations and individuals in their quest to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion practices around the world. Go to www.centreforglobalinclusion.org




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