Keeper Ines reads the council's note aloud. "Four new computers are coming to the Commons. Where should they go, and who should use them?"
Comet points at the evening room. "Evening members answered the most. Put them there!"
Wren frowns. "What do you notice about why evening answered the most?"
"Oh," Comet says. "Evening was over-heard in our audit. That does not mean they need the computers most."
Nova hovers over the floor plan. "Would you like a hint?" she asks. "Think about who has the least access now, not who spoke the loudest."
Comet grabs the floor plan. "Data analyst, help us weigh the options."
The digital divide raises issues of equity, access and influence, both near home and around the world.
It is shaped by the actions of individuals, organizations and governments. A council is one of those groups.
A product, or a computer room, should be checked for whether a broad group can use it, including people with disabilities.
| Option (made-up, from the Commons Count story) | Where and when | Who it helps | Who it might miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | All four in the evening room, open evenings only | Evening members | Morning and weekend members |
| B | Two by the front door all day, one in the quiet corner, one at a desk a wheelchair user can reach | Members at every time, including members with disabilities | Fewer computers in any one room |
| C | Given first to the members who visit the most | M17 and other frequent visitors | Members who visit less, and everyone who did not answer |
| Statement | True or false? |
|---|---|
| The digital divide raises issues of equity, access and influence. | ? |
| Only governments shape the digital divide. | ? |
| A computer room should be checked for whether people with disabilities can use it. | ? |
| The group that answered a survey most always needs a resource most. | ? |
Thoughtful, fair work, data analyst. Tomorrow is Mission Quest: a family talk about access in your community.