The Hummingbird Vol.6 No.11

Policy Brief: Moving towards equal access to technology for persons with disabilities in the Caribbean

In the Caribbean, there are approximately 1.3 million persons with a disability of some kind and some 250,000 persons with a significant disability. These numbers are projected to increase dramatically in the coming decades as the population of the subregion ages and given the global increase in chronic health conditions. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) face a range of physical, social, attitudinal and institutional barriers that prevent their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. As a result, they experience less favorable outcomes in health, education, …

Bridging the digital divide for persons with disabilities explored at ECLAC meeting

While ICTs can break down barriers and ensure that everyone can participate actively in society, many people with disabilities are currently not able to use computers, access the internet or handle smartphones and other mobile technology. In the Caribbean, this is particularly worrisome, given that there are approximately 1.3 million persons with a disability of some kind and around 250,000 persons with a significant disability. It is for this reason that ECLAC Caribbean undertook a study to research ways to bridge the digital divide that affects persons with disabilities. One of the solutions…

The Hummingbird Vol.6 No.7

Older adults in the digital age in Latin America: bridging the digital age divide

In recent decades, countries across Latin America have entered a stage of sustained population ageing. In parallel, changes associated with the rise of the digital society have profoundly transformed the way in which people in the region interact with each other and with their governments. This paper examines the use and appropriation of digital technologies among older adults in the region. In particular, it describes the evolution of Internet use by older adults in the region, using data from national household surveys; examines the determinants of Internet use among older adults, considerin…

Las personas mayores de América Latina en la era digital: superación de la brecha digital

En los últimos decenios, la población de América Latina entró en un proceso de envejecimiento sostenido. Los cambios relacionados con el auge de la sociedad digital han transformado profundamente la manera en que los habitantes de la región interactúan entre sí y con sus Gobiernos. En este artículo se analiza el uso y la apropiación de las tecnologías digitales por parte de las personas mayores en la región. Se describe la evolución del uso que hacen de Internet, utilizando datos de las encuestas de hogares de los respectivos países. Se examinan los factores determinantes del uso de Internet e…

CEPAL Review no. 127

Revista CEPAL no. 127