In my line of work, in the past year I’ve gotten to grips with the work of charity Go ON UK, who are committed to ensuring that everyone in the UK has the motivation and skills needed to benefit and prosper from the internet today and in the future.
As a digital Account Manager, perhaps in ‘real life’ I’m in a position where I naturally possess more than the basic level of digital skills, and take them for granted. But following my craniotomy – and being confined to the house unless someone takes me out – I’ve been discovering how truly critical digital skills are for the more vulnerable members of society in 2016.
On a practical level, being able to manage information via the internet has been a godsend to me over the past few months. Not only have I still had the ability to be in charge of things like my car insurance – rather than handing over to a relative who’s able to leave the house – I’m also able to contribute to my local community by managing my church’s Gift Aid submissions to HMRC (improving my self-esteem in the process). The process of logging donations is in the process of becoming cloud-based, making me far more able to be independent in my work as I’m unable to carry heavy files of records around the place.
Life improvement through Managing Information: check.
Transacting
Through having access to the internet and basic digital skills, I’ve been able to remain in charge of management of my bank account with an app at my fingertips. With relative ease and within seconds, I can self-sufficiently check balances, transfer money and move money to my savings: all actions giving vital independent empowerment to someone who is housebound.
Access to the internet has also allowed me the autonomy to choose and purchase presents for those who’ve cared for me, without requiring their help and thus defeating the object! Furthermore, it’s a real self-esteem boost to be able to do that: to enjoy the look on my parents’ faces when they saw the presents I’d individually chosen for them, and looking forward to giving my neurosurgeon the bespoke present I’ve had made for him (no spoilers, he hasn’t got it yet). It feels far better than sending someone out to get a card and box of chocs for me!
Life improvement through Transacting: absolute check.
You can read more here -
https://braintumourwarrior.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/digital-inclusion-the-ability-of-the-internet-to-empower-brain-tumour-warriors/