The world is increasingly turning virtual, a reality only made more true by the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic government has been used more frequently in the past two decades as a method to deliver more efficient social services.
While e-governance has made government information and services generally more accessible to those previously disenfranchised, it has also left those with improper access to necessary technology behind.
This “digital divide” refers to gaps in technology use on the basis of one’s race, age, location, economic status, and disability. This phenomenon is one element of information poverty, which is when people are unable to find important information about their needs and available services to meet them.
This situation becomes especially concerning in the event that someone needs information or assistance but is unaware of where to receive it.
Without personal connections or the necessary technology to collect information, there are likely thousands of people in the city who do not have the resources to get the assistance they need.
According to Spink and Cole in 2001, most often, people rely on personal connections when seeking information about social services. These services are often so decentralized, however, that there are few people (even those involved with their distribution) that can connect others to needed information. In York, the local Ecosystem Coordinators are ideally one solution to information poverty. Parkway Ecosystem Coordinator Selena Generett, like others in her position, is in charge of bringing together the community and offering resources to those who need them.
“I provide the most information for food pantries and clothing rooms,” said Selena. “I also get a lot of phone calls for financial help with rent and utilities.” She continues by expressing how advertising her position to the community has been a challenge. “I’m putting information out there and holding open houses, but I’m getting the same people that come. It’s been challenging, especially now when everyone is staying in their homes.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has made our community more isolated and in need of assistance than ever, a mix that keeps many from accessing important information that could improve their situations. Major barriers that contribute to information poverty include individuals lacking access to computers and Internet or lacking the computer literacy to effectively navigate online information.
According to 2019 Census data, 2,559 York City households (or 16 percent of all households) do not have any kind of computer. Further, 4,691 households (or 29 percent of all households) have no Internet subscription. Without this technology or the personal circles to keep residents informed, connecting them to necessary resources becomes a great challenge.
“[Internet] is one of those things that is a utility at this point where if you don’t have it, you can’t fully participate in society and the workforce. It leads to plenty of other determinants of health and poverty,” said Dr. Silas Chamberlin, facilitator for the YoCo Fiber Task Force, a county-wide initiative to bring broadband Internet access to the entire county. The initiative stresses the importance of high-speed, affordable Internet connection as a crucial part of the county’s infrastructure and residents’ quality of life.
Without personal connections or the necessary technology to collect information, there are likely thousands of people in the city who do not have the resources to get the assistance they need. This reality can leave many households in states of despair, feeling as if there is no one to help them despite there being countless, well-funded programs eager to help.
Despite these divides, there appears to be no end to e-government in sight. In the future, governments and other organizations need to keep this barrier in mind when developing and advertising their services. Without proper accommodation, information poverty and the digital divide will continue to bar the people who need the most assistance from accessing social services and fully participating in society.
