6.1 <3 diversity and inclusion

• Accessibility in digital systems ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents.
• Diversity in digital systems is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another.
• Inclusion in digital systems is a sense of belonging and where differences are considered and appreciated.
• Specific needs in digital systems can include people with a visual, auditory or physical impairment.
• When digital systems are created, specific needs should be considered such as providing special features like Alt Tags and a screen magnifier for people with a sight impairment.
• Demographics are statistics that describe populations and their characteristics, factors such as age, race and sex.
• Equality in digital systems ensures that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents.
• There are many people who have specific needs which need to be considered.
• Data is collected, stored and processed by organizations to assist in their day-to-day functioning.
• Large amounts of data are stored in data warehouses, data repositories and data lakes.
• Data can be accessed from a big data set or it can be accessed from a specific organization that collects it.
• Bias is a tendency, inclination or possible prejudice toward or against something or someone.
• To maintain and increase inclusivity, data should be checked for bias before it is processed.
• If biased data is processed, the results will be biased and not representative.
• If biased data is used by an organization, this could lead to incorrect business decisions being made at an operational level.
• It’s important that all end users are able to access digital systems to ensure they can complete the actions they need to take.
• The digital divide refers to the potential issues that can arise which limitless access to technology.
• Many people have unlimited access to technology, while others have access to just one device, and it may be out of date technology.
• Limited access to technology may be caused by financial issues, lack of knowledge or confidence to upgrade their technology.
• During the pandemic of 2020-21, many students had to do lessons online from home and some students did not have access to their own device so couldn't access lessons.
• The UK Government published the UK Digital Strategy in 2017 which set out 7 strands including connectivity and digital skills and inclusion.
• Connectivity across the UK can vary and there are some areas where the infrastructure needed for high-speed broadband and mobile data is challenging.
• Many large providers will not provide connections to (or will charge very high process for) connections to villages and homes in remote areas.
• To combat this and conform to the Digital Strategy, the UK Government set up a voucher scheme to help communities with the cost charged by the providers to provide the infrastructure.
• Technical knowledge and skills are necessary to effectively use digital systems.
• Without knowledge and skills, end users may be under-confident when using digital systems.
• The demographics of those with a lack of digital skills tend to be people who have not been brought up in the digital age, have a disability, or come to the UK from a different country where digital skills are not part of the educational curriculum.
• Without digital skills, users will be reluctant to use digital systems so can’t access services.
• It will have a detrimental effect on their employment opportunities, ability to access the NHS, ability to shop online, and ability to do online banking.