Government Support for Internet Accessibilty and Usability
It must be kept in mind that while web-based transparency is a step in the right direction for diverse representation, there are still large percentages of the population who do not have the means to access the internet, or the ability to effectively communicate through it. As observed through the theory of "cyberpower:" "how are we to maintain democracy if core conversations and the wealth of information sources are ...more »
It must be kept in mind that while web-based transparency is a step in the right direction for diverse representation, there are still large percentages of the population who do not have the means to access the internet, or the ability to effectively communicate through it. As observed through the theory of "cyberpower:" "how are we to maintain democracy if core conversations and the wealth of information sources are all online, but not everyone is able to participate or even observe?" (Schuler, Liberating Voices, 177). It is thus important to retain accessability and usability for the common populace, ensuring that resources created by cutting-edge technology and the know-how of professionals are effectively utilized to further participation in our government.
One way to iniate this sort of openess would be to affirm support for diverse sources of wi-fi in major cities, where many of the poorest of Americans live. Simply having access to free wi-fi hotspots will encourage the number of urban poor who can participate in government dialogue - healthy for any democracy. As put by John Dewey, "the very fact of exclusion from participation is a subtle form of suppression" (1937).
Yet exclusion can be much more subtle than keeping certain demographics off the internet. Software can in itself, either intentionally or unintentionally exclude citizens. There are undefined skills that allow some users more online maneuverability than others. We must ensure that government websites, such as this one, are constantly allowed to be reviewed, critiqued and adapted to allow all users to particpate with minimal technological backgrounds.
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