1. Choose one of the social justice issues in computing discussed above and find out to what extent it is an issue in the Philippines. Then find out what is being done to address it in specific countries. For example, in the case of digital divide due to language differences, Soriano reports the adoption of “the Unicode Standard,” a character coding system designed to support the worldwide interchange, processing, and display of the written texts of the diverse languages of the modern world.” Developed, extended and promoted by a non-profit organization, the Unicode Consortium (www.unicode.org), the Unicode Standard makes international communication easier.”

Selected social justice issue in computing: Disability issues on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Development in the Philippines

To what extent it is an issue in the Philippines:

Disability as one of the causes of digital divide along with gender, age and income is very much apparent in the Philippines. In terms of connectivity the current state of development for ICT in the Philippines has not yet responded to the demands of persons with disabilities. The current hardware and software ICT infrastructure are not conscious of the needs of the disability group. Justifications to this are:

a. Most of our website has graphics which the Visually Impaired Persons (VIPs) find it difficult to understand;

b. Internet facilities does not provide sound enabled options or facilities to convert the text into audio for the benefit of the VIPs;

c. Computer tables are designed in such a way that wheelchair users cannot comfortably reach the keyboard; and

d. Use of small text fonts that person of low vision cannot read and colors that are not visually friendly.

Social factors attributed to this are the following:

a. Most of the disabled persons are poor and living in rural areas.

b. Lack of trained teachers, materials and facilities.

c. Only orthopedically disabled and with hearing impediment would have access to ICT while VIPs do not enjoy fully the benefits of ICT.

In general, ICT in the Philippines is still discriminatory and this will continue in the absence of policies and guidelines to require the IT industry to be conscious to the needs of the disabled.

What is being done to address it in specific countries:

a. China: The country has a National Development Plan on ICT and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The government is formulating and undertaking policies and measures to support and encourage PWDs to embrace and use IT. Government organization offers free IT awareness courses and e-mail accounts and enhancing web accessibility for PWDs.

b. In Australia there has been much progress on web site accessibility for PWDs. The Disabilities Discrimination Act of 1992 has helped pave the way to making IT more accessible to PWDs.

c. The country of Singapore has always been sensitive to the needs of PWDs. It has created EnableNet which is an extensive collection or resources for PWDs on the web.

d. In Japan awareness of accessibility issues on PWDs has grown over the past years. A research group hosted jointly by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunication and Ministry of Health and Welfare released a report on the promotion of technologies that support PWDs.

e. Korea implemented "Master Plan for Closing the Digital Divide" in September 2001. In this initiative, four goals were suggested as a goal of the digital divide policy ; providing at least one free Internet access facility per every local administration office(about 3,500 units), provision of the basic as well as advanced IT skill to all the persons who wish to learn, provision of high-speed Internet service to the whole country including the remote areas by 2005, assistance to the development and provision of valuable online information especially for disabled persons, the elderly and for those living on a low-income and those living in rural areas.

f. USA’s Section 508 of Americans with Disabilities Act makes it mandatory for Federal Agencies to provide equal access to information to all, including disabled and elderly.

In January 2004 New Horizons Un-Limited launched Access Technology Computer Redistribution Program for Southeastern Wisconsin residents with disabilities. Through this program PWDs are granted refurbished, internet-ready computers who due to various barriers would not otherwise have access to this.

The Rural Assistance Center – a product of the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Rural Initiative opened a grant for Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities – Technology and Standards-Based Reform (Deadline was last June 7, 2004). The purpose of this program is to: (1) Improve results for children with disabilities by promoting the development, demonstration, and use of technology; (2) support educational media activities designed to be of educational value to children with disabilities; and (3) provide support for some captioning, video description, and cultural activities.

Global initiatives to address the issue:

a. Biwako Millenium Framework for Action Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific This outlines issues, action plans and strategies towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities. (See http://www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003/biwako0.htm for more details)

b. The European Commission will present eAccessibility with a focus on age and disability. There was an online public consultation opened from January 10, 2005 to February 12, 2005.

2. Is denial of access in computing a social justice issue? Discuss your answer.

Yes, denial of access in computing is a social justice.

Definition of Social Justice:

“Social justice is what faces you in the morning. It is awakening in a house with adequate water supply, cooking facilities and sanitation. It is the ability to nourish your children and send them to school where their education not only equips them for employment but reinforces their knowledge and understanding of their cultural inheritance. It is the prospect of genuine employment and good health: a life of choices and opportunity, free from discrimination.” (http://www.dreamtime.net.au/indigenous/social.cfm)

The definition of social justice will be the guiding principle why denial of access in computing is considered a social justice issue. If there is denial of access in computing, people are deprived of the following:

a. The right to have an enhanced/improved quality of education: Education should be accessible to the people and that none should be excluded from it. Access in computing is one form of educational strategy that can be used for teaching, learning and delivery. The internet can be used for training, developing skills and one way of meeting social justice goals.

b. The right to healthcare information and service: There are countries that lack adequate healthcare facilities and personnel particularly in rural and remote areas. Access in computing in terms of healthcare information improves resource use, patient satisfaction, personalized care, and coordination of public health care systems, private and academic sectors. The access also empowers people to better manage their health and participate effectively in the healthcare process.

c. The right to employment: Access to computing in terms of employment creates job, enhances competitiveness and productivity. This can be made possible through teleworking, enterprise networking and linking of job seekers and employers.

d. The right to be safe and secured: Access to computing can prevent man-made disasters, monitor transport systems that can give threats to the environment and gives vital information to ensure the safeness and/or security of an individual.