Digital Inclusion - Milton Keynes leads the way in Europe
On Monday, Milton Keynes Council won a European Union e-inclusion award in the Cultural Diversity Category. A UK ministerial delegation attended the e-inclusion award ceremony including the Deputy Digital Inclusion Minister Wayne David MP. The council was selected for their innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to help digitally and socially-disadvantaged citizens. The programme they have put in place, supported by Microsoft, is already improving the quality of life for many citizens.
You can see the details of the Milton Keynes award-winning entry here.
Microsoft supported Milton Keynes through our Digital Skills for Citizens (DS4C) programme which was an integral part of their bid to win this award. The DS4C programme is a Microsoft initiative which gives everyone the opportunity to become IT literate. It makes technology accessible, helping improve the digital skills of people who could otherwise not afford access to IT resources. This allows people on the wrong side of the ‘digital divide’ to realise their potential in a society where IT literacy is now a professional and social requisite.
The scheme also meets government environment objectives as it makes uses of refurbished PCs. A refurbished PC is provided by a Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher with low cost Microsoft core software and key learning packages as part of the programme. The refurbished PC is rented, sold or given to citizens that are deemed to be disadvantaged by their local authority, with the aim of enabling them to become digitally included and enjoy the same access to online information and social networks enjoyed by the majority of the population.
The council can also provide Microsoft Live email accounts that associate their council with the service. For example, Milton Keynes uses the standard format for email addresses provided through their e-inclusion programme of username@connectmk.com. Milton Keynes also has a website where citizens can apply online for a low-cost rental PC and online access service.
We are delighted at the well-deserved success of Milton Keynes with their innovative e-inclusion programme.
To find out more about the DS4C programme please contact Stephanie Muzzall: t-stmuzz@microsoft.com
Posted by Stephanie