These days, access to technology and understanding how to use it aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities. Since its inception, the internet has become a central part of our daily lives, providing access to critical information, services and opportunities. This has made digital inclusion an important consideration for the many organizations that conduct business online.
For many people — especially those with limited English proficiency (LEP) and those with disabilities — the services and information we take for granted on the World Wide Web are simply inaccessible.
If you’re a native English speaker, you probably won’t have much trouble searching Google for information on how to access critical government services in your city. But the experience of a Bengali immigrant with limited English proficiency is likely to be very different. By emphasizing digital inclusion through language access and accessibility services, we can ensure that these individuals are able to fully participate in our increasingly digital society.
Digital inclusion isn’t just about access to the internet and devices; it’s about ensuring that digital content is understandable and usable by all. An essential part of this is digital literacy, which empowers individuals to use technology effectively and confidently. By focusing on digital inclusion, we can help bridge the gaps that leave many at a disadvantage.
In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of how your organization can prioritize inclusivity in its digital presence, allowing individuals with LEP and people with disabilities to easily access your services and information online.
3 Ways to Foster Digital Inclusion
While there are many ways to support an inclusive and equitable online ecosystem, these three strategies can be especially impactful for individuals with LEP or disabilities that affect their hearing or vision:
Digital Language Support
One of the most basic, fundamental aspects of digital inclusion is ensuring that language barriers don’t prevent individuals from accessing digital services and content. A truly inclusive digital environment allows individuals to access the services and information they need, regardless of their linguistic background.
Digital language support can take many different forms, from translating your website into multiple high-demand languages to offering remote interpreting services for online calls with your support staff. Language access measures like these make information about your services (and even your services themselves) easy to understand and digest for individuals with LEP. Translating your customer portals and other user interfaces not only improves user experience, but also promotes greater participation in your programs and services.
To determine which languages you should translate your digital presence into, we recommend doing research into the linguistic background of your key audience. Look into the languages other than English that are spoken most commonly in your community and among the people who use your services most. This can help you determine where there is the most demand and act accordingly.
Promote Equitable Access to Technology
While many of us take our smartphones and laptops as a given, such tools aren’t so accessible to everyone in our society. The technology we use daily can be extremely costly and inaccessible to underserved populations like those with LEP. Additionally, access to technology tends to be lacking in rural areas, and individuals with LEP or disabilities living in the countryside may have even more trouble accessing technology.
Programs that provide low-cost computers, tablets, and smartphones can significantly improve digital inclusivity. Additionally, offering discounts on broadband internet services makes it more affordable for low-income households to stay connected. Community tech hubs are one innovative solution, providing free or low-cost access to computers, internet, and digital literacy training, making it easier for individuals in underserved communities to develop their digital skills and participate fully in the digital world.
Digital Literacy Programs for Individuals with LEP
Fostering a sense of digital literacy among historically marginalized groups is essential, as it allows them to navigate the digital landscape effectively and critically. For LEP individuals, tailored digital literacy workshops and educational initiatives can make a significant difference. These programs offer training and resources that cater specifically to the needs of individuals with LEP, helping them become more proficient in using digital tools and accessing online information.
Programs like the National Housing Service (NHS) of Queens’ digital literacy programs are prime examples of initiatives that work towards closing the digital divide. By providing workshops and training sessions that are targeted to communities with LEP, the NHS of Queens empowers immigrants and others with LEP to enhance their digital skills, thereby improving their access to educational, economic, and social opportunities.
Summary
By keeping digital inclusion in mind in your organization’s online presence, you can more effectively enable people with LEP or disabilities to access your services and programming online. Here are three key ways to promote a sense of digital inclusion in your organization:
- Digital language support: Language access and alternative formatting allow individuals from different backgrounds to more easily read your website and online presence.
- Promote equitable access to technology: Programs that make technology more affordable to access can enable people from marginalized backgrounds to better access services and opportunities on the web.
- Digital literacy programs for individuals with LEP: These programs empower individuals with LEP to better engage with the internet and enhance their technological skillset.
These are just a few ways to contribute to inclusivity in your web presence. If you’re looking to improve your site’s accessibility through language support such as translation, interpreting, or WCAG, Avantpage can help. Contact us today at [email protected] or (530) 750-2040.
