Have
you ever thought about how much reading is involved in accessing a computer, or
the internet?
If
you can read well, you probably have not.
An article
in this week’s Age newspaper (Melbourne) summarised the findings from recent Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority research on Australian student’s use of computers and the internet. This is in-line with other
research in the domain of computer literacy from ABS # 4228, 2013 and also
ehealth literacy, both for Australian students and international
students. This weeks research states 48% of Year 10 students have non functional computer skills to manage and process information. The ABS data identified non functional use of technology, that is, adults unable to use the computer based testing, and instead used paper based testing was 24%. A significantly higher proportion of people were recognised as having non functional computer based problem solving skills. (Over 70%) This is consistent with many other OECD countries.
It
would surprise many to hear the computer literacy for accessing meaningful information
is extremely low, and in fact is non functional for a high proportion of the
population. This is not about use of social media, and Instagram and such, it
is about meaningful searches, access and use the breadth of information on the
internet.
Then,
consider the older population. Do you have older relatives or friends who do
not own a computer, laptop or iPad? I do. Do some own a computer, but are
not connected to the internet? Yes, I can think of some people here too.
Often
clients in group homes (called CRU's) or people in SRU's, do not have access to
the internet, or wi-fi in their facilities. How do they access information?
Nursing Homes, hospitals and such. What is the access like here for patients?
On
your website. What now?
That
is great. But once someone with poor literacy has got past getting your web address
right, can they find what they need on your website?
Look
at your website. How much of your website is text? What level of literacy
does it requite to read, understand and use that text?
Ok,
you could use a screen reader to read everything aloud, but often the language
is too complex, too dense and does not relate enough to the person's experience.
Once again another means to reduce their interaction with your website.
Where
is your phone number and contact us section?
MMM. No phone number. Companies, and many government departments have recently done
away with contact phone numbers, easily displayed. They want you to complete an
email. Once again, great if you have the skills to type, spell and compose
this information. In this current climate, when access to mobile phones is so
much a part of our society, why do large organisations insist on an email? Every
organisation should provide a multitude of ways the public can access them.
Now, I really need you to think about who is your audience.
How do you make your website
accessible to the 44 % of the adult Australian population with non functional
literacy, over 70% of the adult Australian population with non functional technology
based problem solving skills. ABS # 4228, 2013 . And these numbers will not reduce. Based on
the data of the functional use of the computer by current school students, it
is an ongoing issue which needs to be addressed.
Ask
me how we can work together to begin to address this enormous issue by using the
techniques of Easy English on your website.
