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Route 6 Diversity and Inclusion - Coggle Diagram
Route 6 Diversity and Inclusion
6.1 The Principal of digital inclusion
Access to Technology
All end users should be able to access digital systems since it will ensure that they’ll complete any tasks that they need to complete.
Families that have limited access to technology such as having outdated technology, due to financial issues or even lack of knowledge of technology
Limited access to technology was shown during the 2020-21 pandemic where many students didn’t have access to technology meaning they could not carry out their school work online.
6% of UK households have no access to the internet
Connectivity – UK Digital Strategy
Set out seven strands, including connectivity and digital skills, and inclusion
Connectivity to the internet needs to be available to fully access digital systems and the services.
Digital Economy Act sets ot legally bindin
Legislation
Infrastructure in rural communities
Types of discrimination
Codes of Best Practice and Demographics
Equality and Human Rights Commission
6.2 The Business benefits of Inclusion and Diversity
Diversity
Range of political beliefs, race, culture, sexual orientation, religion class and/or gender identify differences
Inclusive workplace must make everyone feel valued and feel safe to:
Put forward their ideas
Try to do things in a different way (With approval of management)
Raise issues and suggestions
A benefit of business with diversity is it will be able to expand their customer base, as fewer demographics would be excluded
This will help the business increase in its profits
Greater appeal to potential employees
Large organizations, businesses etc. actively advertise that they are diverse and inclusive employer
Every year a listing of top 100 diverse and inclusive companies is published.
More innovative products
If diversity and inclusion are considered when products are being designed, its likely result in more innovative products
People involved in development of new products will not be afraid to 'speak out' to provide different idea, improvement, criticism
Inclusive recruitment
Many employment agencies, have came into agreement to remove any personal details, like names, gender or racial backgrounds from the beginning of selection for interview process
By doing this, applicants are considered only on their qualifications, skills and previous experience.
Inclusive products
Inclusive Products are designed where they are accessible and usable by many people as possible. should be useable and accessible without special adaptations.
Exanples:
Make sure website provides comparable experience for every end user ensuring that tasks can be carried out in a way that meets their needs
Enable end users to access and interact the website to meet their needs, so more option features instead of scrolling or pinch-to-zoom on touch devices
Ensure that it is consistent in terms of use of colours, layouts and fonts used. For example, text should be same colour, which should be readable and contract with the background.
Ability to connect authentically to Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups
To maintain diversity and inclusion, business must ensure they connect with all existing and potential customers.
This connection should include all demographic groups, considering in particular those that are often and historically excluded
Reduce risk of reputational damage from non-inclusive products
Risk of reputational damage is diminished by ensuring products are inclusive including online services
If they're not inclusion this could mean that some individuals are excluded from their use, could result in legal action under the Equality Act
Removing these barriers increases the inclusivity of products and services, it is probable that the reputation of organization will increase leading to more customers and profits.
6.3 Approaches to addressing demographic imbalance in the digital sector
Increasing cultural awareness of different types of bias
Many different types of bias which can be applied to any demographic group, such as forming friendships with people you share interests and backgrounds with.
Bias can take forms like gender and age. People should be treated equally irrespective of, their race, gender age. Skills, qualifications and experience should be more important.
Highlighting different types of bias, through training can reduce conscious and unconscious cultural bias.
Inclusion of design of digital technologies and systems and digital inclusion principles
To fully address demographic imbalance, digital inclusion principles can be implemented. Digital inclusion means everyone can access digital systems, regardless of demographic
Government initiatives
Government digital inclusion checklist includes:
Motivate people - find something they care about
Keep it safe - build trust
Improve access - stop making things difficult
Work with others - Don't do it alone
Start with user needs - not our own
Focus on wider outcomes - measures performance
Digital inclusion principles could include:
Motivation to go online
Access to appropriate and connected devices
Low cost and accessible connections
Skills, confidence and safety
To achieve these principles:
Training may need to be offered and accepted by end users
People's digital rights need to be clear
Connectivity should be defined as a basic need
6.4 How digital inclusion affects individuals and organisations in the digital sector
Positive effects
Positive effects of digital inclusion on individuals
Lower risk of people being excluded from services like government websites, retail, finance etc
Increased enhanced quality of life is linked to increase in access to websites and services that they provide.
Increase in ability to communicate with friends and family. This communication can be enhanced with increased broadband speeds
Many jobs can now be carried out remotely, because of use of cloud and online communication facilities.
Increased availability of assistive technology also means individual with additional needs can access technology required to help them carry out their job role
So increase to career opportunities, along with utilization of inclusive recruitment = increase in social mobility
Positive effects of digital inclusion on organizations
Digital inclusion aims to reduce digital exclusion of demographic groups, by increasing inclusion a greater variation in employment demographics can be achieved.
Retention of employees will also increase as policies and procedures are developed and implemented to increase inclusion
More retention of employee can make organizations contribute towards cost and time that they need to enhance their qualifications, leading to a more qualified and skilled workforce.
UK Government provided a legally binding (USO) of minimum download speed of 10 Mbps
Remote and rural communities are able to access internet and facilities B4RN provides, increasing inclusion
Can lead to increase in customer base of organization, as they have access to potential customers in previously inaccessible areas
It's also possible for organizations across world to communicate and do business together, leaving to increase access to customers, leading to increase in profits.
Adverse effects when principles of digital inclusion are not applied.
Adverse effects on individuals
Social isolation
Social isolation may occur as a result of decrease inclusivity
Many people rely on online services to communicate with family and friends, if these services are not available then communication would be reduced.
Not being able to access employment opportunities due to lack of assistive technology can lead to decrease in work-based social interaction, leading to social isolation.
If access to websites isn't available its possible individuals will have reduced access to services.
Individuals can also suffer adverse effects if technology they need to carry out their everyday work task is not available
Which can lead to a decrease in employment opportunities, decreasing quality of life.
Linked to this may be reduction in ability to access paid employment
Adverse effects on organisations
If assistive technology is not provided to help employees it'll lead to a reduction in people who have skills and qualifications to meet the needs
If a range of demographics are not included when products are designed, innovative ideas which focus on making products inclusive may not have been thought of.
By limiting accessibility to application for promotion or new jobs, leads to a decrease in applicants with skills and qualifications
Which can lead to restriction in service, and reduced accessibility to all demographic groups
If organization fail to consider range of demographic groups when designing products, it may restrict potential audience, leading to reduction in their profits
If Equality Act is breached, financial penalties can be imposed.
If WCAG are not conformed with, then organization website will not be accessible to all visitors, leading to decrease in customers interactions, leading to decrease in profits