Could you imagine being on your own? I mean completely on your own. I am lucky, I am not on my own. I have a car, I live in a town, I have access to all I need, I am fit and healthy and I have family and friends nearby. But what if I didn’t have all of this? This is what I try to imagine.
What if I was at home, on my own and I mean completely on my own. No neighbour, no friends, no family. I was housebound, without transport and without anyone to help me. What would I do? How would I survive? Would I cope? How would I cope? So let’s just pause for one moment and try to imagine.
What does digital exclusion mean?
It is at this point I realise the importance of digital technology and what it can do to help people who don’t have what I have. Now imagine being on your own and I mean completely on your own but with access to the internet. It is at this moment I understand the value of digital inclusion because with the internet and a few basic computer skills I am no longer on my own- well not completely on my own.
The benefits of digital inclusion
I can do my grocery shop online and have it delivered straight to my door, I can now join social networking groups and keep in touch with family and friends that are far away. I can now pay my bills online and keep on top of my banking, I can complete benefit claims (if I need to), I can order my Christmas presents and I can sell the things I don’t need. I can watch catch up TV, order my repeat prescriptions, book a doctor’s appointment and keep in touch with my local community. I don’t feel like I am on my own anymore- well not completely on my own.
What can we do to help?
So next time someone you know asks you for help with their online shopping or how to use Facebook- don’t assume they know everything you know. Take your time and make sure that they fully understand what they need to so that when it’s your time to go and leave them on their own- you will know that they are not on their own - well not completely- not anymore.