Abstracts Economics

Technology access and the equity gap

by Beth Farmer

[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This project seeks to understand the gap(s) in equity due to the lack of access to technology, both due to lack of infostructure and due to mitigating factors, including financial resources and/or digital literacy. The purpose of the study is to discover what a lack of technology as a resource means for Utah communities and identify and recommend solutions to alleviate disparities among marginalized populations due to the growing digital divide. Specific areas of study where the digital divide has significantly impacted already marginalized groups and individuals and further exacerbated inequality are education, health, and economics. Gathering quantitative data from multiple sources, and qualitative data from expert interviews with subject matter experts on poverty, after-school programming, and the gender-wage gap in Utah, two communities were selected to survey with a mixed-methods needs assessment. The expert interviews were transcribed and analyzed. It was presumed that the community needs assessment would be returned at an average rate of 40%, however, 4% were returned, one from each community with opposing perspectives and respondent demographics. This result indicates that the lack of response matters and helps to validate that there is a vast and nuanced population missing from the "big data" on which algorithmic processing and data driven decisions are made. Recommendations include programming and advocacy that identifies access to technology and digital literacy as an essential resource, and that technology policy and regulation are further studied and implemented, with a direct focus on consumer protection and inclusivity. Practical implications include healthy communities with technology that is accessible, affordable, and reliable, including education and digital literacy programs that bridge the current gaps in education, health, and economics.