Digital Inclusion

Firstly and most importantly, it is about access. It is about ensuring that every individual in Northern Ireland (irrespective of personal circumstances) is able to access low cost, convenient computing and Internet technology.

Secondly, it is about skills. We have to ensure that individuals have the ability to interact with relevant hardware and make it work for them.

By recognising the enhanced quality of life that access to and exploitation of technology can provide, the Digital Inclusion Unit has set out to facilitate a digitally inclusive society in the form of citizen-facing solutions as follows.

The Department of Finance and Personnel is determined to deliver on digital inclusion. In managing the strategy we will:

If you have any queries about Digital Inclusion please contact Basil Davidson:

Tel: 02890816019

Fax: 02890816019

Email: basil.davidson@dfpni.gov.uk

This project aims to provide every household in Northern Ireland with access to a CDROM to promote the benefits of technology for everyday life and work.  The CDROM is designed to be as easy to use and approachable as possible, and includes training on how to accomplish a wide range of tasks on the web such as shopping, banking, booking a flight, learning and finding a job and teaching the possible benefits of the web by example. It uses real websites and well known brands including Tesco, easyJet, Ulster Bank, Microsoft and other Northern Ireland websites.

The Project Board, which consists of representatives from the Delivery & Innovation Division, Educational Guidance Service for Adults (EGSA), BBC NI, Office of Communications (OFCOM), Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI), agreed to invite private sector organisations to join the Board and contribute to the cost of the project.

The CDROM was officially launched on 17 May 2006 at a central Belfast venue. The postage of the CDROMs followed during Adult Learners Week, week commencing 22 May 2006, bringing with it follow-up publicity. The CDROM was used by Colleges of Further & Higher Education on “Internet Made Easy Day”, 25th May, as they encouraged the digitally excluded in our community to use their facilities. “Silver Surfer Day” followed on 26^th May which involved business volunteers using the CDROM to train older citizens in NI on how to use the Internet and realise its benefits.

The project continues to be successfully used in libraries, with EverybodyOnline projects and in the education sector. There has also been interest from Europe and we are currently working with the Slovakian government as they aim to tackle digital exclusion there.

The Story Finders project will find and record ordinary and extraordinary stories from ordinary and extraordinary people from all over Northern Ireland. These stories will appear on websites and radio/TV programmes, and will develop digital and media literacy to the public. A steering group has been set up consisting of partners from BBC, NICVA and the Delivery & Innovation Division.

We have liaised with UK-based digital inclusion charity Citizens Online and BT on the plan for six EverybodyOnline projects in Northern Ireland.  These projects are designed to help communities overcome any barriers they may have to technology so residents can take advantage of the wealth of opportunities digital technology and the Internet has to offer. Examples of these communities include the elderly, disabled and unemployed.

An all island awareness campaign to promote the uptake of broadband, specifically in border regions. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is working in partnership with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on this initiative.

Four peak-time television adverts are running across several channels for the rest of the year.

MyGroupNI is a DFP-sponsored digital inclusion initiative, bringing together the public, voluntary, community and private sectors to help in excess of 3,500 community-based groups across Northern Ireland to become 'digitally included' through a new online portal: www.mygroupni.com. The MyGroupNI concept provides small, local community-based groups with the tools, resources and support to create their own localised content through a sustainable and easy-to-use website that can link with other community-based sites.

Business In The Community (BITC), DID, BBC NI and a wide range of partners provided volunteers who collaborated together to deliver Silver Surfers’ Day in Northern Ireland on 23 May 2008. This included over 180 business volunteers teaching over 1500 senior people how to use a computer and the internet. The partners also gave Silver Surfer Awards to recognise seniors who were exemplars to others.

Aims to identify and break down barriers to digital literacy as a first step to employability and social and economic inclusion. The project addresses the issues and solutions around the promotion to and engagement of "hard to reach" individuals.

Explores the use of Digital TV and text messaging as complementary methods for Government’s current communications channels expansion.

Citizens can use their voice to make a real difference once they know how. This site provides practical guidance and help, allows users to listen to expert advice, and teaches what Devolved Government means.

Internet based kiosk technology is being trialed to improve customer service, and to reduce queuing and to provide wider access to information and services. The main objective of the project is to trial delivery of local and central government services through the channel of public access kiosks.