New Irish scheme seeks to close digital divide
The Irish government has launched a new €1.5 million initiative aimed at bridging the country's digital divide. The Access, Skills and Content (ASC) scheme will provide financial support to projects which develop digital content adapted specifically for use by people with disabilities and the elderly. It will also fund projects which seek to improve information and communication technology (ICT) skills among these social groups who, more often than not, find themselves left behind in the evolving digital society. 'There are a number of aspects to addressing the problem of the digital divide and it is not just about getting access to technology, 'Tom Kitt, Minister for Information Society. 'It is more important for people to have fundamental skills to use technologies wherever they are and the benefits of using technology can be seen in circumstances where it makes a difference to them and their lives.' The minister said that the initiative would give preference to projects which help raise awareness of the relevance of ICT, particularly among those who are coming late to the technology. 'Properly and imaginatively used, new technologies can have a very beneficial impact on what people are doing, whether that is in education, at work, or just coping with the challenges and demands of everyday life,' he said. As in Ireland, ensuring that everyone can effectively use and benefit from ICT in life and work, access information, communicate and learn are considered to be keys to the EU's goal of becoming the world's leading knowledge-based economy by 2010, as outlined in the Lisbon strategy.
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Ireland