New report to improve digital inclusion in disaster-prone communities

The new 'Connecting communities: Improving Digital Inclusion in Disaster-Prone Communities' report explores a solution to improve digital inclusion in disaster-prone communities. Connecting communities, a shared value partnership between the Australian Red Cross, Great Southern Bank and Infoxchange, is a new report that explores how to improve digital inclusion in disaster-prone communities.

Motivated by the bushfires that ravaged much of Australia in 2019/20, the partnership recognised people with low levels of digital inclusion are often worse-off in disasters, and set about to understand how we can better support people living in disaster-prone areas to improve their digital confidence and capability.

Using a human-centred design research approach involving over 130 people across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the report identifies innovative solutions to help build community resilience and shares the stories of community members in disaster-prone areas.

Read the report here and watch the panel discussion below.

On Tuesday, 5 October 2021, the ADIA launched the report with a webinar

The panel was moderated by the Convenor of the ADIA, Ishtar Vij, and included:

• Katharine Hopper – Manager – Community, Great Southern Bank
• Anna Morgan – Social Innovation Lead, Infoxchange
• Carolyn Ratnik – Community Action Coordinator, Australian Red Cross
• Karina Smith – Principal, Meld Studios

Key findings

Key barriers to disaster preparedness and digital technology

• Mindsets and behaviours towards disaster preparedness
• Process to prepare 
• Reducing the digital divide
• Mindsets and behaviours towards digital technology
• Access to digital resources
• Affordability and cost

Key motivators to disaster preparedness and digital technology

• Motivators for using digital technology
• Personal motivators for disaster preparedness
• Collective motivators for disaster preparedness

Key opportunities to solve for disaster preparedness

• Past experience of disasters and the impact this has on their desire to prepare for potential disasters.
• Level of commitment in preparing for disasters.
• Level of commitment, ability and access in using digital technology to support disaster preparation.

Connecting Future Partnership is a between the Australian Red Cross, Great Southern Bank and Infoxchange.

The partners hope this vital research is a starting point for further collaborations to build community resilience while improving digital inclusion and disaster preparedness.

They are actively seeking funding partners to help us scale the impact of this work and community partners to collaborate on this opportunity to support their community. 

#DisasterWeekend 

When disasters hit, people often escape with only the bare essentials. Disaster Weekend challenges you to live out of your disaster kit for 34 hours, complete mystery activities and raise money so Red Cross can keep helping people before, during, and after disasters. For an experience that will stay with you, sign up for the Disaster Weekend and prepare to be surprised by what you learn about disasters, resilience and yourself. Play your part. #DisasterWeekend 

Reducing the digital divide

The Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) is a shared initiative with over 500 business, government, academic and community organisations working together to accelerate action on digital inclusion. Our vision is to reduce the digital divide and enable greater social and economic participation for everyone in Australia.

Digital technology plays a central and empowering role in our lives. With services increasingly being delivered online, it is more important than ever that no one gets left behind.

Digital inclusion is based on the premise that everyone in Australia should be able to make full use of digital technologies – to manage their health and wellbeing, access education and services, organise their finances, connect with friends and family, and the world beyond. It goes beyond simply owning a computer, or having access to a smartphone.

At its heart, digital inclusion is about social and economic participation: using online and mobile technologies to improve skills, enhance quality of life, educate and promote wellbeing across the whole of society.

The Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance is a shared initiative of businesses, government, academic and community organisations working together to accelerate action on digital inclusion. The alliance is supported by Infoxchange and backed by Google and Telstra, with participants throughout the country from all sectors. 

How will you play your part? 

To ensure everyone is able to make full use of digital technologies please connect with the partners and get involved in building an inclusive digital economy.

 Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance contact here

Infoxchange Social Innovation Lead, Anna Morgan, amorgan@infoxchange.org