Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

The digital revolution is well and truly underway, and we are seeing its effects across society. A wealth of different features — from Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone features to digital payments and self-service kiosks — are making life easier, simpler, and swifter for individuals and communities across the world.

But are these digital solutions making life easier for everyone? Unfortunately, the rapid pace of development has left some members of our society behind — and those disenfranchised people tend to be the most vulnerable.

Understanding the Digital Revolution

Digital services have been gathering pace in the UK for several years now. In 2020, just under 30% of the country's internet users were frequently making payments across solutions such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay. The pandemic has also accelerated moves towards contactless payment apps as users turn their backs on cash.

The digital sector is now pumping vast amounts of money into the UK economy. In February 2020, government statistics suggested the sector was worth more than £400 million a day. All of this underlines the huge role digital solutions play in our evolving society.

How Digitisation Is Failing the Vulnerable

In order to be successful, the digital revolution relies upon two key assumptions:

• That every user has the capability to interact with and get the best from digital channels.

• That every user has the economic resources to afford the required technology.

This is immediately problematic. By 2025, the number of UK residents who own a smartphone and use the device at least once a month is expected to hit 94% — a huge figure, but one that still excludes 6% of the population. In turn, this is fuelling discrimination — those who lack a smartphone device or the knowledge required to use their device properly tend to be in marginalised groups. These groups include the elderly, those in dire financial need, disabled individuals, and children without adequate support networks.

Vulnerable people tend to be less visible in society, and so their voices are lost in the noise of positivity that surrounds digital technology. The longer these voices remain unheard, the more isolated these individuals become. We cannot allow such disparity to grow between the most and least vulnerable sections of society.

Reevaluating Digital Strategies

At PodAbi, we have developed a set of test questions designed to make organisations aware of the accessibility and user experience of their digital services. With these test questions, organisations are equipped to reevaluate their digital strategy and foster inclusion.

1. Affordability: Can someone who cannot afford a smart device use your digital service?

2. Accessibility: Can individuals with disabilities or different needs access your digital service?

3. Usability: Can all individuals use your digital service conveniently and comfortably, without exception?

For example, can someone with auditory or speech impairment utilise the digital booking system for a clinic or Doctor?
Can a visually impaired person use a mobile application to order a repeat prescription? These are real-life situations that people face every day.

The PodAbi Solution

To support organisations as they recalibrate their digital services for maximum inclusion — and, of course, to support those individuals who may have been left behind by the digital revolution — we have developed the PodAbi solution.

PodAbi is a low-tech, simple device that is affordable and easy to operate. With this device, the most vulnerable members of society have a means by which to access vital digital services.

We designed PodAbi:

• To be affordable for all.

• To operate on a simplified process, granting access with just a push of a button.

• To be easy to use for individuals of all abilities and all kinds of needs.

• To be flexible, adapting to the specific needs of the user.

• To provide independence for all members of society.

PodAbi is ensuring everyone in our society has a stake in the new digital landscape. Register to reach out to our team to learn more.