Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly today released the draft Digital Inclusion Blueprint to gather feedback on how to make Western Australia more digitally inclusive.
Digital inclusion aims to give people of all ages, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, abilities, income levels and locations, the skills and tools to access and engage with digital technology and online services.
Every day across the globe, people spend on average six hours a day online, yet 11.6 per cent of WA households do not have access to the internet. Furthermore, 26 per cent of the State's lowest income earners do not access the internet.
Western Australians will now have the opportunity to share their experiences of using digital technology and provide valuable feedback on the draft blueprint.
The draft blueprint identifies four key priority areas for digital inclusion, focusing on digital connectivity, affordability, digital skills, and the design of online government services.
Feedback will inform 'Digital Inclusion in WA: A Blueprint for a Digitally-Inclusive State', which will guide the delivery of digital inclusion initiatives in Western Australia.
Submissions close at 5pm on September 18, 2020.
As stated by Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly:
"The McGowan Government is committed to empowering all members of the Western Australian community to confidently and safely enjoy the benefits of digital technologies in their everyday lives.
"The recent pandemic has further highlighted the challenges for those in our community who do not have ready access to these technologies.
"The draft blueprint outlines a strategy for government, community, and industry to work together to build on existing initiatives as well as develop new ways to improve digital inclusion for Western Australians.
"I encourage community, industry, and not-for-profit stakeholders to help us better understand this important issue and ensure their feedback will contribute to a more digitally inclusive WA."
