Digital Divide

The gap between individuals, households, or communities that have access to modern information and communication technologies and those that do not, or between those with the skills to use them effectively and those without. The digital divide encompasses not only access to hardware and connectivity but also digital literacy, confidence, and the relevance of available content. Older adults, people with disabilities, those in rural areas, and lower-income populations are disproportionately affected. Accessible web design helps bridge the divide by reducing barriers that prevent meaningful technology participation.