Digital Equity is Iteration
By Lars Vik
Toward the beginning of our project, we were tasked with sitting in on Digital Equity Learning Network meetings where I learned about an important practitioner named David Keyes. From the beginning, it was apparent to me that one of the values he holds strongly is becoming a voice for underrepresented groups in the space of Digital Equity and its larger discourse.
He ensured these groups were represented by vocalizing their request for language translations (Somali and Amharic) within the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Additionally, he identified the afforded rights to undocumented citizen’s so they too could receive aid. Later on I had the opportunity to interview him and we talked about collaboration being an extension of this value.
Through this I was able to understand that by having the willingness to collaborate as a coalition we are able to progress further towards a collective goal, such as closing the digital divide.
Our goal as designers is to define a specific problem, allowing us to create actionable solutions that last. One way we do this is through iteration. Looking inward on our work allows us to critically evaluate whether our solutions are propelling something further or being held back through neglected details. Developing solutions in this volatile space encourages critical feedback from an untrained eye. This process may take long periods of time, yet it’s proven itself as a necessary step in the design process. Without this willingness to change, a design’s progression would feel hasty, inconsiderate, and linear. We strive for malleability.
Having a willingness to listen, appreciate, and understand one another is what I’ve understood as a significant similarity between both the fields of Digital Equity and design. It’s become apparent that advocates and organizations in Digital Equity aim to change the landscape of our digital world by acknowledging the needs of marginalized communities. These practitioners experience iteration in their own way by building upon a specified problem and creating a future-proof solution that will last generations to come. Both groups demonstrate their ability to collaborate through these steps, all while empathizing with its audience in order to create change.
