Bill shares his thoughts on Digital Exclusion

Bill shares his thoughts on Digital Exclusion

Digital is a funny thing to call the battle with the computer chip. Even that name, the computer chip, is the way that I'm referring to any gadget, phone thingy, or piece of equipment that has this little slice of silicon as it's heart. I'm not positive about this ... And I haven't checked ... But I'm thinking that "Digital" refers to the way that computers are controlled, by millions of zeros and ones 01100110 for instance. 

When I first entered combat, we (users) were required to understand these sets of numbers and how they fitted in to the scheme of things. Then came "USER FRIENDLY" and his mates.  My first User Friendly was the digital equivalent of a Rottweiler (in my very humble opinion).  Bill (Mr. Microsoft) Gates and Steve (Mr. Apple) Jobs drove a Cadillac through the opposition, and we were all in awe. This is why it is so easy to use digital devices now ... ISN'T IT!?".  Easier to use? Maybe! BUT (Little word big job) More Stuff Got Packed Into the, ever smaller, Device. For us older people who never expected to have instant contact with someone playing video games in darkest China, we need to have USER (MUCH) FRIENDLIER, or at least a friendly face when it comes to help in understanding the ****. By the way * is what we used to denote 'can be anything', so for **** you choose your own letters. There you go, your first exercise in digital management! 

Nowadays when someone comes up with something new, they announce it 'online' so that everyone can see it. Those of us who haven't a clue how to view 'online', even if we have the means in our possession, will still be in the dark about this Something New stuff. I say STUFF because that is one of the words used a lot, along with 'It' - which is not to be confused with 'IT' which is short for Information Technology, another way to say Digital, if you really want to. People have been speaking in capital letters for a while now, I'm sure that you have noticed. Spend an hour with two professionals from any organisation and you will hear many capital letters spoken as words. I used to sit in on meetings at the hospital, many years ago, and one of the reasons that I was there was to encourage the various professionals who were there to speak in tongues that this dim human person could understand.

It may indeed be true that everything IS Available Online but there's a significant slice of the population that cannot access it ... Online ... IS what I mean by Digital Exclusion. I can write of some of my own experiences, which I no doubt will, but I would love to hear about some of yours. I only need to call the city telephone number to be subjected to "It is MUCH easier to contact us online at Sunderland.gov.uk", every 40 Seconds for an interminable period, and I join many thousands by screaming "OH NO IT ISN'T!" at the phone, like some demented pantomime artiste!!!!

If you are feeling digitally excluded there are digital hubs across the city which are providing access to free public Wi-Fi, by providing on-site digital devices to use, or people can bring their own to log on. Databanks have been established to offer access to free data to eligible residents, via the Good Things Foundation. A team of local volunteers, known as Tech Mates, will offer vital support to residents, building their confidence, trust and sharing digital skills. The initiative aims to introduce people to the benefits of navigating the internet safely, such as, saving money, booking appointments, or reporting problems to increase motivation to go online. The Hubs will play a crucial role in making a difference to residents across Sunderland at a community level, to ensure no one and nowhere is left behind in a digital world." 

Find your nearest Digital Health Hubs - Sunderland City Council