Recently
it was announced the 2016 Australian census will be going ahead.
But it
will be online.
In
the attached information, it is acknowledged that there will be some people who
will not want to do it on line, but they expect over 2/3 of all households
to use the online version.
It
is difficult to see how these numbers/data add up, when the ABS(1) has data that
tells us that 44% of the adult population has non functional literacy. Of more
concern is that the same research in 2013 also identified 63% of the adult
population has non functional technology based problem solving literacy (that
means using the computer to access information and interpret meaning). Of that
number over 12% were unable to participate in this part of the research, as
they were unable to access the basic requirements if using a computer, and only
A
number of yrs ago research identified significant proportions of people can
access computers, but mostly it is social media. (2) This data was focused on young
people 'so called first generation computer users.' ACMA (3) research from 2010
identified people over 55 are over-represented in the non-functional users of
computers and technology group. Remember too, this data was collected from
people who do identify as literate.
Are
the silent non-functionally literate in our community going to be able to be
properly included in the census data collection. These are the people who
demographers and planners do need to know about.
So
who are these people?
Can
you identify them in your community also. Here are some examples.
1.
Retired man, highly literate, who left the workforce over 20 yrs ago. Has
access to a computer but only uses the internet for emails
2.
Married woman with mild intellectual disability. Uses a mobile phone to contact
her husband (using voice) they do not own a computer
3.
Elderly country lady. Does not own a computer
4.
Woman with mild intellectual disability. Lives on her own. Does not own a
computer. Uses a mobile phone for conversation (but not text)
5.
Woman who owns a computer can use it for a variety of word and document based
tasks. Does not have access to the internet.
6.
Clients in a CRU. There is a computer in the staff room, but no one who lives
in the CRU accesses the computer or internet.
7.
People who live in a CRS. Do not have access to a computer or the internet. May
be able to access at their local library, but will they be able to read the
information, without support?
8.
People who have English as a second language.
Anyone
who does not regularly access a computer has additional vulnerabilities around
completing forms, and security and "what if I put in the wrong thing , by
accident"
May
be 2/3 of households do have the skills to do something online.... but do they
have the confidence to do this task online?
Let
the census data collection agency know your concerns for people you know, or
people you support. Only then will change happen. Ask them to make sure an Easy
English version of the census is available. We need everyone to be included and
participate. It is a Right.
Cathy
Basterfield
Access
Easy English
0466
579 855
References
ACMA (2006) Australia in the Digital Economy Participation
