Although the world is getting progressively digitalised, it is causing a greater exclusion for those living on the streets. Digital exclusion is a formidable issue for the homeless, as it denies them the key tools that most of us take for granted. Phones are how homeless people find jobs and connect, however, theft, the battery life of a phone and often restrictive, expensive, limiting contracts are the practical issues homeless people face.
Key points
• The majority of people living on the streets have access to phones but they are unreliable due to it being dependent on battery, and at risk of being broken or stolen.
• Public spaces are designed in ways that digitally exclude the homeless community, requiring money spent to gain access, lacking a welcoming space, and limiting access to the web.
• Attempts at digital inclusion are also limited due to training not being specific to the needs of the people, their goals, and to the disabilities some of them face.
• Funding for effective digital inclusion should create spaces designed with the homeless community in mind and that develop them with their personal goals in mind, with face-to-face training which will help to avoid a digital underclass
At Sustainable Tech 4 Good we are helping to facilitate more social and digital inclusion for the homeless via our partner charities and organisations such as Cambridge Cyrenians, The Haven (ITAC’s Women’s Homelessness Action Group), Hope into Action, It Takes a City, Jimmy’s Cambridge, Nite Light, Salisbury Women’s Refuge, Standing Tall, Swansea Food Bank and Winter Comfort with 574 devices donated to-date.
Here is an example of need from one of our partner organisations:
“I am currently working with a man who was until recently homeless, he has now moved into supported accommodation which is very good news. He reported to me recently that his smart phone has broken, the screen got wet and is now shutting down and the screen freezes. My client has a small income and is not in a position to get a new smart phone and I wondered if it would be possible for you to consider donating a phone to him please?
Having a phone will benefit him greatly to enable him to keep on top of his benefits, emails and contact with probation and his family. My client has been working really hard to try and change his situation and has made such good progress since we have been working together, I am keen to encourage his continued engagement and having the means to communicate via phone and emails is vital.”