Digital Inclusion

Wednesday 9th November 2011, Guoman Charing Cross Hotel - London, 08:45 - 16:10

A Digital Future: Tackling Social Exclusion Through Technology

Overview

The UK has over 40 million adult internet users, who benefit from its wealth of opportunities for information, education and communication. However, over 9 million people in the UK do not have access to the internet – 4 million of which are from disadvantaged groups including older and disabled people, minority ethnic groups and those with lower socio-economic status.

There are strong links between digital and social exclusion. The digital divide reflects and compounds existing inequalities. Statistics published by Race Online 2012 highlight that digital skills are vital for education and employment - people are 25 % more likely to get a job when they have internet skills. Digital exclusion also has a big impact on people’s health and well-being; those who suffer social and digital exclusion are more likely to have recurrent health problems.

The government has shown its commitment to tackling the digital divide by re-appointing Martha Lane Fox as the government's UK Digital Champion. Martha Lane Fox launched the Race Online 2012 campaign, with the aim of building a 100% networked nation, and to work with local digital champion volunteers, local authorities, charities, communities, social housing providers and private companies to address the three most-common barriers to internet usage: access, motivation and skills. This follows on from the Manifesto For A Networked Nation, published in July 2010, which aimed to get everyone of working age in the UK online by the end of this parliament.

Moreover, there is a drive to create a 'digital by default' government, by increasing the provision of public services online, and creating a single website through which all government services will be accessed. The government's commitment to make the delivery of public services digital by default was highlighted in the Open Public Services White Paper, published in July 2011. The online delivery of public services aims to deliver efficient services - designed around the user. With more services going online, it is more important than ever that citizens can access the internet and have the skills to participate in the new digtal era.

Agenda

This bespoke forum will allow delegates to discuss the government’s campaign for breaking down the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion for vulnerable groups. Delegates will discuss strategies for addressing issues of access, motivation and skills, and how local authorities, communities and social housing providers can implement digital inclusion strategies, gain funding for providing digital services, and learn how the digital by default government will be created.

08:45	Registration and Coffee
09:40	Chair’s Welcome Address Professor Paul Watson, Director, Social Inclusion Through the Digital Economy Research Hub, Newcastle University (CONFIRMED)
09:50	Morning Keynote: Promoting Digital Inclusion - Race Online 2012 Race Online 2012 - the government’s goal to get 9 million extra people online by 2012 Encouraging digital inclusion for vulnerable groups Breaking down the digital divide – addressing issues of access, motivation and skills Building a Digital Champion Volunteer Network Working with industry and media partners Supporting charities, social enterprises and community groups Update on the Manifesto For A Networked Nation – how close are we to reaching its objective? Annie Dare, Special Adviser, Race Online 2012 (CONFIRMED)
10:10	Promoting Digital Inclusion in Social Housing The benefits of digital technology and digital by default for social housing providers, their resident and UK plc Social Housing Providers Digital Inclusion Action Plan – reaching people most at risk from social and digital exclusion Technical solutions to tackle digital exclusion – choice-based lettings, tenant forums, online reporting of repairs and maintenance via media Creating better-connected and resourced neighbourhoods through technology Cross-sector partnerships for implementing social and digital inclusion measures Best practice from the social housing providers’ digital inclusion pathfinder projects Helen Milner, Managing Director, UK online centres and Chair, Social Landlord and Digital Inclusion Strategy Group (CONFIRMED)
10:30	Questions and Answers Session
10:50	Coffee Break and Networking
11:10	Engaging Older People in Digital Inclusion ‘Getting ON’ - the manifesto for older people in a Networked Nation Supporting the use of digital media for older people Using IT to promote health, independence and wellbeing for all older people Promoting the use of digital services by older people in care homes. Embedding accessible design in digital media Recognising and promoting new business opportunities in an ageing society David Mortimer, Head of Digital Inclusion, Age UK (CONFIRMED)
11:30	Young People and the Digital Divide Understanding young people's use of digital media The impact of the drive to increase online services The role of digital skills in supporting young people A view from our young people e Pat Thompson, Assistant Director for External Affairs, Catch 22 (CONFIRMED)
11:50	Questions and Answers Session
12:10	Lunch and Networking
13:15	Addressing the Skills Gap - Using Digital Technology to Widen Access to Education Harnessing the power of new technologies to transform education and skills Developing new structures and tools for personalised learning Targeting learners with innovative digital learning methods – prospects for re-engaging learners Delivering cost-effective and efficient services Using digital technology in targeting a wider audience Alan Fletcher, Knowledge Media Institute, Open University (CONFIRMED)
13:35	Digital Inclusion and Efficiency for Charities Encouraging digital inclusion within the third sector and hard-to-reach communities The role of digital technology in increasing charities’ efficiency and effectiveness Engaging and supporting service users Supporting charities with their digital technology uptake Improving digital technology, support and best-practice guidance Raising awareness of technology support for charities Richard Craig, CEO, Charity Technology Trust (CONFIRMED)
13:55	Questions and Answers Session
14:15	Coffee and Networking
14:45	Case Study: A Multi-Platform Approach to Encouraging Digital Inclusion Encouraging public sector bodies to use new technologies and platforms to deliver services Juggling multiple channels in an ever varied technical landscape Right services on the right channels: digital access & appropriate services To ‘App’ Or Not To ‘App’: Smartphone apps and mobile web delivery Evidence of successful delivery of Looking Local projects; from local authorities to Jobcentre Plus, housing to health Guy Giles, Operations Manager, Looking Local (CONFIRMED)
15:05	Case Study: Go On Barnsley Totally Online Barnsley - making Barnsley the first place in Britain where everyone is online The three strands of the campaign Lessons Martin Cantor, Executive Officer to the Chief Executive, and Lead for the Digital Agenda, Barnsley Council (CONFIRMED)
15:25	Questions and Answers Session
15:45	Chair's Summary
16:00	Close of Conference

*Programme subject to change

Audience

Delegates will be drawn from central government departments, local authorities, trade unions, think tanks, businesses and employers, regional development agencies, adult and community learning providers, UK Online Centres, housing associations, technology leaders, academia; legal and voluntary sectors; and will include, local strategic partnerships, social inclusion officers, IT managers, heads of customer strategies, service improvement officers, heads of online services, heads of social inclusion, digital inclusion managers, and online service deliver managers.