ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses aspects of usability and digital divides, and identifies particularly digital skills as one of the key aspects of meaningful engagement with technologies. According to the association for computing machinery code of ethics, “In a fair society, all individuals would have equal opportunity to participate in, or benefit from, the use of computer resources regardless of race, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin or other such similar factors”. Arguably one of the most important and most desired aspects of the digital revolution has been its potential to bring free information and education—and thereby social inclusion—to everyone, even those who cannot afford the time or money to obtain formal education. Usability standards need to acknowledge and take into account digital skills and digital inequalities, at the same time that policy makers need to tackle digital inclusion beyond factors of access and socio-demographic factors.
