The report shows how technology is already improving life chances and public service delivery, and is being embraced by excluded groups. For some the telephone can be as significant as a computer in helping to improve the life of a disadvantaged person.
The report "Inclusion Through innovation: Tackling Social Exclusion Through New Technologies" published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, says that excluded people already use technology extensively and that we need to build on this enthusiasm. The digital divide needs to be bridged, and with it e-government public services delivered, in away that excluded people will use that suits their experience. For example the telephone can be as significant as a computer. The services provided by a 'phone are identical whether an individual is calling from a castle or a caravan.
The report sets out a number of proposals and actions for government including:
- Setting out the action for Government to develop information sharing about excluded groups while building protocols and safeguarding privacy;
- Proposing the expansion of access to ICT facilities in hostels for the homeless and proposing that community centres in deprived areas be wired with broadband services. The report also recommends that local authorities should explore the potential of bundling in internet capabilities, such as e-mail and other local information feeds, when telecare systems are installed in an individual's home.
- Proposing the setting up by government of an independent unit to consolidate and promote the most efficient and effective practices using technology which are otherwise seldom evaluated.
Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "This report highlights the government's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of e-government reach every citizen, and especially those who are most excluded. The report is very timely as it complements the very successful work of the ODPM's e-Government programme which has just delivered e-government to every local authority in England. It also complements the e-Government Unit's work, who are launching their 'Transformation Strategy' tomorrow.
"We all need to learn from the SEU report how socially excluded and isolated people are already using ICT and build on this to continue to narrow the divide. This report sets out, the many ways in which central, local government and public services are also bringing the benefit of ICT to excluded groups. The government is committed to ensuring that the e-government agenda should be delivered to meet the needs of every citizen, including and especially the most excluded groups, and not simply be focused on the e-literate or those able to afford PCs and broadband at home."
Welcoming the report John Fisher, chief executive of national digital inclusion charity, Citizens Online, said: "We very much welcome the Inclusion through Innovation report. It is an incisive document and there has been novel research, along with a useful capturing of in-depth issues and effective projects. We are pleased to see that Government has recognised the importance of the digital inclusion agenda. It must now grasp the opportunities presented in this report to ensure that the crucial joined-up work happens to make this a reality."
Mike Hughes, head of digital inclusion for BT, which is a founder member of the ICT industry's corporate social responsibility group the Alliance for Digital Inclusion, said:
"BT is very pleased that the Social Exclusion Unit has undertaken this extensive review of social inclusion and new technologies. All corporate members of the Alliance for Digital Inclusion, including BT, are in agreement that there are significant benefits for society, business and Government in ensuring that ICT underpins the drive to promote social inclusion."
This report is the second in the SEU's 'Improving Services, Improving Lives' series which sets out to make sure that reformed public services work better for the people who need them most. The 'Inclusion Through Innovation' report demonstrates that ICT is a critical part of this process of reform if we are to ensure that the most vulnerable benefit equally from the digital revolution in the 21st century.
Background papers also published, include:
- Analysis of consultation responses - Reports on a wide ranging consultation exercise across the public, private and third sectors.
- Qualitative research report - Findings from seven focus groups with socially excluded people about their experience and perceptions of ICT.
- An international study of technology initiatives to enhance social inclusion - A study which examines excellent international comparative examples of effective use of ICT to address social exclusion worldwide.
- Innovative examples - a collection of good practice examples drawn from across the UK and the world.
- Information and social exclusion mapping - Examines the range of information available electronically that is of central relevance to developing a social exclusion strategy in a local authority area.
- Business case tool - an excel spreadsheet which provides a template for organisations to evaluate the business case and cost/benefits for ICT enabled social exclusion themes.
- Data sharing for neighbourhood renewal' commissioned by the ODPM's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit. www.neighbourhood.gov.uk This research which looks at how at the local level information is shared.
Quelle: Publictechnology, 02.11.2005
