Access to technology isn’t just a luxury — it’s a lifeline. From healthcare to education, job opportunities to staying in touch with loved ones, digital tools open doors. But for many marginalized groups, such as migrants, older adults, and people with disabilities, these doors are often locked.
Who is at risk of being left behind?
Many seniors face hurdles online, from tricky logins to inaccessible websites. Without support and training, digital tools risk isolating them instead of connecting them. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights warns that without tailored solutions, digitalization can deepen social isolation rather than ease it. Combining human support with digital training to build confidence and autonomy.
For newcomers, technology can be a bridge, helping with language, housing, job opportunities, and legal aid. However, this is only possible if platforms are multilingual, user-friendly, and culturally aware, as it was stressed in the webinar EPIC-UP by the AEIDL.
People with disabilities also feel the digital divide. From screen readers to inclusive design (fonts, colors, spacing), digital tools must be built to accommodate everyone, ensuring true participation. Accessibility isn’t optional. Yet too often, digital tools overlook accessibility, unintentionally excluding those who need them most. Creating inclusive design isn’t just good practice; it’s essential for social inclusion.
Closing the digital divide: what it takes
Bridging these gaps requires more than good intentions:
- 💰 Funding inclusive tech development
- 📚 Integrating digital literacy into social services
- 🏛️ Enacting policies that prioritize accessibility
- 🏘️ Supporting community-based training programs
- 🤝 Encouraging public–private partnerships
This multi-faceted approach ensures that digital inclusion becomes a reality, not just a buzzword. At the end of the day, it’s all about e-inclusion and not e-exclusion.
That’s why the NEF Project is working to close the digital divide. By developing inclusive, user-friendly tools and promoting community-based digital training, NEF empowers vulnerable people to use technology with confidence. Most importantly, it involves both professionals and users in the design process — ensuring that solutions are not only accessible but also truly meet real needs.
Resources:
Press Release. (2023). Ensuring access to public services for older people in digital societies. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
(2025). EPIC-UP webinar: Inclusive digital solutions for migrant integration. Aeidl
(2021). Digital Access and Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The UN Refugee Agency