Closing the Digital Divide-Apple Makes It Possible

Around the world, millions of people rely on the internet for work. Whether completing job tasks, writing a thesis, or staying in touch with friends and family, digital technologies and the internet hold the keys to countless opportunities. However, not everyone has equal access to the internet—or any access at all. Roughly 7% or 23M Americans fall into this category.

This is the ‘digital divide.’ In simple terms, the digital divide is the gap between those with internet access and those without it. It relates to the increasing social differences created by reliance on technology, the internet, and other advanced developments.

Who Faces the Digital Divide?

The digital divide often exists between:

• School-age children who face the Homework Gap when assigned homework that requires internet access, but they don't have it at home.
• Low-income families are at a significant disadvantage as they cannot afford high-speed internet and the latest tech gadgets.
• People living in rural areas who lack the necessary digital infrastructure for reliable internet access.
• Workers without access to the latest technology and internet are falling behind, impacting business efficiency and competitiveness.
• With the rise of telehealth services, healthcare patients without broadband and computing devices miss out on these essential healthcare options.

Even within populations that have some access to technology, the divide persists. It's not just about having no internet access at all; it's also about having lower-performance computers, slower wireless connections, and limited access to high-speed internet.

Critical Factors of the Digital Divide

Social Reasons
Wealthier people generally have more and better access to technology and the internet. The digital divide widens existing income and education gaps, deepening socioeconomic inequalities.

Age Gap
While the younger generation seems up to date with the latest tech trends, 44% of people over 65 don’t have access to the internet, often due to poor education about its benefits and lifestyle situations that don't demand connectivity.

Geographical Division

Urban areas have complete internet coverage, while rural regions often lack high-speed access.

Racial, Cultural, and Language

This digital disparity is often a result of racial, cultural, and language differences. Non-English-speaking families, for example, may struggle with online resources that aren't available in their language.

Personal Choice

Some people simply choose not to use the internet due to a lack of interest or awareness of its benefits.

Apple Is Playing a Role in Bridging the Digital Divide

The digital divide is only going to create further barriers unless organizations develop solutions to bridge these inequalities. Fortunately, Apple has taken significant steps toward closing this gap. Many agencies now prefer Apple because of its industry-leading accessibility features that are seamlessly integrated into their design.

Apple offers built-in accessibility features, including voice search, vibrating alerts, hover text, hearing aids support, detection mode, and speak screen. These empower users to connect, create, and enjoy activities that suit their needs. For instance, a WebAIM survey of over 1,500 users with vision disabilities revealed that 71% rely on iPhone or iPad with VoiceOver, from Apple, as their primary mobile platform.

Apple has also curated a trusted collection of apps tailored for older adults and people with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life by facilitating easy access to beneficial applications.

All these features highlight one thing: Apple is committed to closing the digital divide and ensuring everyone can access and benefit from the latest technology.

Zones: Your Seamless Apple Integration Partner

If you're a public sector agency and want to upgrade to Apple devices and help bridge this divide, Zones is your best bet. With Zones' Digital Workspace Solutions, you'll have a team of dedicated professionals who understand your business and are invested in your growth. Zones handles everything from on-prem IT infrastructure and inventory management to deployment management.

As a proud Apple partner, Zones works every day to help clients seamlessly integrate Apple into the workplace. To learn more, connect with a Zones Account Manager today.

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