Information Access

Information access is the ability to identify, retrieve, and use information effectively. Access to information is vital to social, political, and economic advancement. Traditionally, information has been disseminated in a variety of formats that have been widely accessible, often through public libraries. Many individuals also relied on other people and the media for information. However, advances in computer technology have revolutionized information access, making vast stores of business, education, health, government, and entertainment information accessible on the World Wide Web. Yet, despite technology's dramatic impact on the extent and availability of digital information, many people do not have access to these resources.

The Digital Divide

The gap between those who have technological access, and those who do not, is known as the "digital divide." It is attributed to constraints imposed by educational attainment, socioeconomic status, gender, age, disability, and geography as well as limits...