Twitter: @denisejacobs

Website/Blog: http://DeniseJacobs.com / CssDetectiveGuide.com

Bio

Denise R. Jacobs is a web industry veteran with over 13 years of experience, ranging from software localization project management, enterprise website implementation, and web design/development technical training. Currently, she is finally doing what she likes best: being an Author, Speaker & Educator, Web Designer, and Consultant. Denise wrote The CSS Detective Guide and is a contributing author to Interact with Web Standards: A holistic approach to Web Design. In addition to writing about the web, Denise presents at various conferences worldwide, develops curricula for the Web Standards Project Education Task Force (WaSP InterAct), and is a member of the Social Media Club South Florida organizing committee. Denise was nominated for .Net Magazine’s 2010 Best of the Web “Standards Champion” award. Through consulting on web strategies and solutions, Denise helps individuals and businesses transform their web presence by increasing their knowledge of current web technologies.

How can we use technology to close the digital divide?

The first place to start is with creating a major shift in perspective. Many don’t even see the need, much less the value of bridging the digital divide, be it on a local scale or a global scale. Before we can think critically about how to use technology to close the digital divide, there needs to be a process of raising awareness about the importance of and issues around the digital divide, an assessment of what are and to how to best serve the needs of those on the other side of the digital divide, and then how to best deliver solutions to those who need them the most. Once the needs of the audience in question are assessed, then the appropriate technologies of both delivery and devices can be chosen and implemented. Creating or increasing access to the devices and delivering technologies is the next step once this is accomplished.