As I see it, there are two different problems concerning access to technology and the internet that can be solved by the makers and users of this technology. The first problem consists of availability of the hardware and software necessary to gain access to the internet. The second problem deals with how to overcome any physical disabilities or limitations that people may have that might inhibit or prevent their use of modern technology. The issue of bias, whether it be gender, cultural, social, educational, or economic, can only be dealt with by the people suffering from that bias.
The first problem, making the hardware and software necessary for use of the internet universally available, is an issue of money. In How Worldwide is the Web?, Bertram Bruce gives some very interesting statistics on who uses the internet. He estimates that only about 3% of the world's population uses the internet and that these users can be found primarily in the wealthiest countries and among the most highly educated and wealthy people of those countries. What must be done is to get computers and internet hookups into all countries and into the hands of all the people regardless of financial standing. There is an interesting article called Here Comes the Sun on the ABC News website that tells how schools in Cambodia are being fitted with solar powered computers and satallite hookups to the internet. This shows that the technology exists to put computers into third world countries where even electricity and phone lines don't exist. If that is possible, then it is certainly possible to put computers in places where those luxuries do exist, such as inner city schools or depressed rural areas in the U.S. The problem again is money. If schools could think of a laptop computer as another textbook and budget money to provide each student with a computer to use for the school year, students from all areas of the country would have equal access to the incredible amount of information available through technology. This would mean that we would have to find a more equitable way of funding schools, but I believe it can be done.
The other problem with accessibility is the difficulties faced by people with physical limitations. This problem deals with careless attitudes as much as it does with technology. In this century, people with physical disabilities have had to fight for equal access to everything from buildings to public transportation to athletic programs. The technology has existed for quite some time to provide telephones for the deaf, books for the blind, etc., but it has been the thoughtlessness of people without disabilities that has been the biggest hurdle to overcome. It took many years for people to realize that curb cuts in the sidewalks would give people in wheelchairs more mobility. When seeing eye dogs first came into use, they were not allowed into public buildings or on public transportation. These are examples of how little understanding physically able people have for the disabled. This problem is being overcome on the internet. There are websites that teach people how to create web pages and make sure that these pages are accessable to everyone. One easy to understand web site is Make Your Web Pages Accessible by Art Hadley. This site explains what the pitfalls are and how to avoid them when creating a web page. Another useful site is Bobby, which critiques web pages and offers suggestions to correct any accessibility problems. The most important thing is for webmasters to be aware that accessibility problems exist and that, with a little forethought, they can be avoided.
When these problems have been overcome, computers will truly become the "great equalizers" that they have been said to be. Through the use of computers, all students will have access to all available information, and students with physical or learning disabilities will even have their learning enhanced in ways that couldn't be done before.
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