There are an estimated 9.2 million adults in the UK who have never used the internet; many of these are among the more vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society including:
- 31% of those earning less than £10,400 per annum
- 55% of those who have no qualifications
- 60% of those aged over 65
Assisted Digital is the term now being used to describe a range of developments, strategies, and actions aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind. The concept of Assisted Digital therefore has a wide remit, with different services and customer groups requiring different forms of support in order to allow a fully digital service to operate. We are working with Departments and service providers to think through the definition and structure the work programme to deliver Assisted Digital alongside the Digital by Default agenda. However in general a tiered programme of support is likely to include:
- In the short term, providing access to non-digital channels by exception for those who need them, such as through click and print services for paper forms
- Providing an interface to digital services where non-digital elements are required e.g. ID verification
- Providing physical access and/or support to use digital channels e.g. through internet terminals for those without internet connections and face to face support to input data for those without internet skills.
- Signposting to internet training for those requiring digital skills e.g. via UK Online centers, libraries etc.
- Help ensure that the development of new services – designed to be Digital by Default – are also accessible and usable for service users.
It will build on existing initiatives aimed at getting people to use Digital Channels (e.g. Race Online 2012) and current infrastructure that facilitates access to Digital Services (e.g. UK Online Centres). Assisted Digital will also identify and develop:
- Alternative and shared non-digital delivery channels (e.g. Post Offices)
- Specialist solutions to specific issues (e.g. Blind, Disabled, Elderly, etc.) by working with special interest groups
- An improved understanding of how wider Government policies impact on the Digital Agenda (e.g. Local Government & policies on localism)
Assisted Digital is a step change from previous approaches taken by Government in tackling digital inclusion. This is because Assisted Digital is predicated on services being Digital by Default rather than by offering a multi-channel approach to service delivery.
It is about taking a more proactive approach to getting people online and thereby sharing the benefits available from being online. If successful, Assisted Digital will see more people get online to access public services; which are more conveniently accessible, easier to use, and therefore the preferred choice of service users.
We will blog here as often as possible to keep you updated about how this agenda is progressing.
10 comments
Comment by But what about the people who can’t use the internet? | Digital Health posted on
[...] Government Digital Service are organising themselves will help address this concern too, with the people working on inclusion working alongside those working on [...]
Comment by Race Online 2012 hands the baton to Go ON UK | 2Med Blog posted on
[...] be working closely with them alongside other Government Departments to support programmes such as Assisted Digital. We wish them every success with this new organisation and will continue to share their progress [...]
Comment by Digital by default and libraries | Alyson's Welsh libraries blog posted on
[...] be digital only, and it does seem that there may be some alternative delivery channels. They have information about ‘assisted digital’ plans to help those without digital skills or access. Libraries are mentioned in relation to the skills [...]
Comment by Getting started on assisted digital | Government Digital Service posted on
[...] are beginning to work out what assisted digital looks like in practice. We shared some ideas in an earlier post but now the assisted digital team is in place we are going back to the drawing board and starting [...]
Comment by Race Online 2012 hands the baton to Go ON UK | Government Digital Service posted on
[...] be working closely with them alongside other Government Departments to support programmes such as Assisted Digital. We wish them every success with this new organisation and will continue to share their progress [...]
Comment by Bridging the digital gulf in planning « Planning Portal Director posted on
[...] to a blog post by the Government Digital Service (GDS) last year there’s still a gulf between the digital [...]
Comment by Engaging With The Hard To Reach | Government Digital Service posted on
[...] digital services that are world class and become the channel of choice for service users. But the demographic of those who remain offline reveals that these very citizens are some of the heaviest users and most reliant on access to [...]
Comment by Tackling the Digital Divide | Government Digital Service posted on
[...] has been some time since we last blogged about our work relating to Assisted Digital. While we’ve been quiet, we have been busy working with our stakeholders to develop our [...]
Comment by Omar posted on
Its wonderful what your doing to help people with technology.
Comment by But what about the people who can’t use the internet? | Stephen Hale posted on
[...] Government Digital Service are organising themselves will help address this concern too, with the people working on inclusion working alongside those working on [...]