The Importance of Communication Within Digital Literacy
A blog post by Lars Vik
The Importance of Communication Within Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is an expansive term used to define a multitude of intricacies that might impede a user’s ability to use the internet, outside of access to technology. One of the most common contributors to this issue is a user's inability to navigate the Internet and its resources. Although this is true, an often overlooked aspect is the context surrounding a user's given situation. In dominant English-speaking countries, individuals with language barriers don’t have access to the same resources as an English speaker might. This also applies to disabled individuals since they won't be getting the same experience an able-bodied individual might. Identifying these issues not only allows us to spread awareness of digital literacy, but it also allows us to direct struggling individuals toward resources that help.
One of the primary resources in order to advance all digital literacy is the Digital Navigator programs in Washington State. The Department of Commerce has identified many organizations that can provide free digital literacy training, as well as support in contacting resources. Comcast is another, more specific resource with its Internet Essentials and Lift Zones program.
Department of Commerce Digital Navigator Program
Comcast Digital Equity Programs
Digital Language Barriers
The United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world, where numerous backgrounds merge together to make up its population. Although the internet is represented in most languages, there are often mistranslations for underrepresented languages, allowing an imbalance of information. Many of the common platforms we use today, such as Google, are founded with English as a dominant language, leaving many foreign languages overlooked. What the internet looks like for one English speaker will look drastically different to a non-English speaker, whether it's the information available to them or its amount. One good example of this is the disparity between Google’s search results when using different languages.
More information on the digital language divide
The City of Seattle is working to combat this issue in many ways, starting with offering alternative languages for its website. These translations are provided by Google Translate so they’re often inaccurate, however, a phone number is provided to get in contact with an interpreter or to request translations in another language. In addition, Washington’s Digital Navigators are encouraged to provide services in an individual's first language, offering them a similar opportunity to get digital literacy training.
City of Seattle - Digital Equity
Digital Accessibility
One marginalized community that tends to be overlooked outside the discussion of digital equity is individuals with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the global population in 2011 experienced a form of disability. A disability can be defined as an auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech, or visual impairment someone might experience. It becomes clear that the internet isn’t always designed for those who are impaired, since the majority of internet users are part of an able-bodied demographic. Although it may not always be intentional, overlooking the subject is unethical, ableist, and often illegal toward the communities affected by it. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title III), 2,895 lawsuits were filed in 2021 on terms that a website was inaccessible, which was a 14% increase from the previous year.
There aren’t many resources for those affected by this issue. However, if you are in the position of designing a website there are steps you can take toward mitigating it. Being mindful by doing accessibility evaluations through the Web Accessibility Initiative’s step-by-step guide is an important first step toward eliminating this issue.
Web Accessibility Initiative's Internet Accessibility Evaluation
