RecommendeD resources
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. BASICS
A Useful Internet governance Glossary of Acronym
Diplo - A Useful Internet governance Glossary of Acronym (2019)
ICANN - Maintained by ICANN
The seventh edition of An Introduction to Internet Governance by Dr. Jovan Kurbalija provides an update based on the most recent dynamic period in the history of Internet governance. It was officially launched at the 11th IGF in Mexico in December 2016, and Spanish translation is also available. Read more: English | Spanish
Canadian Broadband Initiatives
Information assembled by Quentin Stalker, qs8966a@american.edu
Canadian Broadband Initiatives One-Pager.pdfThe Domain Name System (DNS) is a component of the system of unique identifiers ICANN helps to coordinate. It is the primary naming system for the Internet. It is not the only one. Some naming systems predate the DNS, and others have been recently proposed in the wake of the blockchain approach of decentralized systems.
Proposing a new naming system is one thing. Making sure everybody on the Internet can use it is another. Alternative naming systems face a considerable deployment challenge. A number of solutions exist to bridge the DNS to those parallel worlds, but they all come with their own drawbacks. Furthermore, the lack of namespace coordination, either between those alternative naming systems and the DNS or simply among those alternative naming systems, will result in unworkable name collisions. This could lead to entirely separate ecosystems, one for each alternative naming system, further fragmenting the Internet. This is the opposite of the vision of “one world, one Internet.” This document is part of ICANN’s Office of the Chief Technical Officer (OCTO) document series. Please see the OCTO publication page for a list of records in the series. If you have questions or suggestions on these documents, please send them to octo@icann.org.
The DNS Research Federation was founded in 2021 by Oxford Information Labs - a small consultancy based in Oxford, UK specializing in Cyber Intelligence.
Founders Emily Taylor, Lucien Taylor, and Mark Robertshaw bring 60+ years of experience working in the DNS Industry to build a new organization with technical, policy, and business expertise.
The project has gained the support of several key industry players and academic institutes and is gaining traction every day.
Internet governance refers to the processes that determine how the Internet is managed. As policymakers and technical experts work towards connecting the remaining two-thirds of the world's nations, the WAY in which the Internet is governed will significantly impact how we use it and how it evolves over time.
The Internet's success can be attributed, in large part, to its unique model of shared global ownership, open standards development, and freely accessible processes for technology and policy development. This open, transparent, and collaborative model has enabled the Internet to enjoy unprecedented success. The model relies on local, bottom-up processes that are accessible to users around the world.
Established in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, the ITU was initially created to develop international standards and rules for telegraphy, which was the primary means of electronic communication at the time. Today, the ITU is engaged in discussions and setting standards on a range of technological and communications-related subjects that have the potential to impact a range of human rights.
It's clear that human rights defenders urgently need to engage with the ITU. However, we've heard from many civil society organizations that they find its structure and processes challenging to understand and follow, making engagement difficult.
A multidisciplinary book that takes internet governance research as a research subject in its own right, discussing methods and conceptual approaches. [Available as an OPEN ACCESS by MIT Press]
The open access edition of this book was published with the support of a generous grant from the Hewlett Foundation Cyber Initiative to the Internet Governance Lab at American University
The design and governance of the internet has become one of the most pressing geopolitical issues of our era. The stability of the economy, democracy, and the public sphere depend on the stability and security of the internet. Revelations about election hacking, facial recognition technology, and government surveillance have gotten the public's attention and made clear the need for scholarly research that examines internet governance both empirically and conceptually. In this volume, scholars from a range of disciplines consider research methods, theories, and conceptual approaches in the study of internet governance.
The contributors show that internet governance is not only about governments; it is enacted through technical design, resource coordination, and conflicts at various invisible control points. They discuss such topics as the emergence of “internet governance” as an area of academic study and a real-world policy arena; the scholarly perspectives of STS, the law, computer science, and political science; the use of big data and text mining in internet governance studies; and cybersecurity.
Contributors Farzaneh Badiei, Davide Beraldo, Sandra Braman, Ronald J. Deibert, Dame Wendy Hall, Jeanette Hofmann, Eric Jardine, Rikke Frank Jørgensen, Aastha Madaan, Stefania Milan, Milton Mueller, Kieron O'Hara, Niels ten Oever, Rolf H. Weber
Are you curious about how the Internet is governed? Who are the different actors and stakeholders involved in Internet governance? How did this system emerge, and where is it headed in the future? By enrolling in this course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Internet governance and the ecosystem of organizations and issues shaping the Internet's future.
In 1982, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, decided to set up the Independent Commission for World-Wide Telecommunications Development. Chaired by Donald Maitland, the Commission was mandated to identify the obstacles hindering communications infrastructure development, and to recommend ways in which the expansion of telecommunications across the world could be stimulated. The Commission submitted its report in January 1985. Officially titled The Missing Link, but also known as the Maitland Report or the Report of the Maitland Commission, the report drew international attention to the huge imbalance in telephone access between developed and developing countries and concluded that this imbalance was intolerable. It underlined the direct correlation between the availability of, and access to, telecommunication infrastructure and a country's economic growth, and it proposed concrete solutions to fix the missing link. The report is considered to be a core document in the founding literature of modern telecommunications development activity.In 1982, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya, decided to set up the Independent Commission for World-Wide Telecommunications Development. Chaired by Donald Maitland, the Commission was mandated to identify the obstacles hindering communications infrastructure development, and to recommend ways in which the expansion of telecommunications across the world could be stimulated. The Commission submitted its report in January 1985. Officially titled The Missing Link, but also known as the Maitland Report or the Report of the Maitland Commission, the report drew international attention to the huge imbalance in telephone access between developed and developing countries and concluded that this imbalance was intolerable. It underlined the direct correlation between the availability of, and access to, telecommunication infrastructure and a country's economic growth, and it proposed concrete solutions to fix the missing link. The report is considered to be a core document in the founding literature of modern telecommunications development activity.
II. ACCESSIBILITY
Digital Accessibility Trends: New Developments and Innovations
In today's digital world, digital accessibility is critical to ensure a successful and compliant media strategy. From captioning and transcription services to the availability of screen readers and speech recognition software, there are various ways to create digital accessibility. However, these methods are constantly evolving and innovating, making it essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in digital accessibility to create accessible media.
This resource delves into the most prominent digital accessibility trends and technologies of 2023. Our goal is to help your organization stay informed of the newest innovations in this space, so you can continue to create accessible digital content that reaches a wider audience.
The rise of information and communication technologies has not gone unnoticed in the university context. An increasing number of university faculty members are using technological resources in their teaching. However, the success of technologies in the teaching and learning process depends on the way they are used. This article analyses the actions of university faculty members who engage in inclusive teaching practices using educational technologies in their classrooms. A qualitative approach was followed using the biographical narrative method. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured individual interviews with 42 inclusive faculty members from 6 Spanish public universities. The results obtained reveal the technological resources used by these faculty members in their classrooms, the main uses they make of virtual learning platforms, as well as the actions that the faculty members implement to facilitate access and participation of students with disabilities through the use of technologies. These results allow us to detect some of the faculty’s training needs relating to the use of educational technologies and offer practical keys that contribute to guaranteeing inclusive and quality learning for all students.
The We Count initiative aims to address the issue that people with disabilities are often left out of machine learning data due to being overwhelmed by majority data or excluded as outliers. The team behind We Count consists of AI professionals, disability activists, and scholars of disability studies who work towards developing data systems and machine learning strategies that include, understand, and serve people with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
On the main page of the We Count website, readers can click on the "Learn" tab to access journal articles and reports on AI and disability, ethics, policy, and educational and methodological resources for AI professionals. In the "Initiatives" section, readers can find information on free upcoming and archived workshops and webinars on data science and inclusive AI topics, such as "AI Hiring System Policies" and "Bias In, Bias Out." Transcripts of past offerings are also available. We Count's YouTube channel (linked in the footer of the page) includes webinar recordings and other videos, most of which are between 30 and 90 minutes long.
The We Count initiative is funded by a grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and supported by the Accessible Technology Program, which is part of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.
III. INCLUSION
Digital-Inclusion-Game-Facilitator-Guide.pdfDigital Inclusion Activity
A version of United Way’s Making Choices activity that focuses on digital inclusion. By Deana Brown and Chelsea Summerlin from the Idaho Commission for Libraries.
it can be used online with the clickable PDF, or printed out and with any type of “token” you choose. Additionally, a facilitator guide is included to lessen the cognitive load of figuring out how you might use this with a group. Use it with a group of community members. Participants are able to have good conversations about digital inclusion. It helps them see their own privileges in the space and has a greater understanding of the intricacies and interconnectedness of digital inclusion. It is also a great way to gather informal data about people's or communities' struggles.
Click on image to access audio file.
How "compassionate ageism" made its way into the design of new technology
Older adults' use of digital devices is growing — but the development of new technologies, from smartphones to AI, still often leaves out the needs of these users.
Nearly 90 per cent of Canadians 65 and older use the internet every day — and the pandemic spurred many to experiment with digital tech, according to a 2020 poll by AGE-WELL.
"Older adults can sometimes be seen as not being technologically literate, technologically savvy," Charlene Chu, an assistant professor in nursing at the University of Toronto, told Spark host Nora Young.
"Compassionate ageism" is often used to describe the paternalistic belief that aging people are in need of special policies to assist them. Ideas of later life being a time of dependency, frailty and general decline are encoded and amplified through the design and marketing of various technologies made for the general public, and specifically for older adults.
Empowering-persons-with-disabilities-through-digital-innovation.pdfEmpowering persons with disabilities through digital innovation: Insights from the GSMA Innovation Fund
About 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, experience a significant disability. Approximately 80% of this population live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and are often marginalised in society. About nine in 10 people with disabilities do not have access to the Assistive Technologies (AT) they need to live independent and autonomous lives. These challenges are compounded in LMICs, where digital AT innovations are nascent, not widely available, or simply unaffordable.
In 2020, the GSMA launched the Innovation Fund for Assistive Tech to support innovative start-ups and micro-, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa and Asia to address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities and tackle one or more of the key barriers preventing them from accessing and using mobile internet.
In this report, GSMA shares insights from the implementation of the Fund, highlighting important lessons for AT start-ups and other ecosystem stakeholders about how digital innovations can influence how persons with disabilities use mobile internet and drive inclusion more broadly.
INTERNET FOR ALL
A Whole-Of-Nation Approach to High-Speed Internet
States and territories across the nation have Signed On to the Internet For All Initiative and are committed to connecting their communities to reliable high-speed Internet for less through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment and State Digital Equity Planning Grant Programs. These programs will provide more than $48 billion for infrastructure deployment, skills training, and access to technologies essential for Americans to connect with their communities, their democracy, and one another.
One-Pager Programs Bundle.pdfThe internet represents a fundamental shift in how Americans connect with one another, gather information and conduct their day-to-day lives. For more than 15 years, Pew Research Center has documented its growth and distribution in the United States. Explore the patterns of internet and home broadband adoption.
Community networks are rooted in the idea that people who need the Internet should have a say in how it's built and maintained. These networks are often built and run by local residents, community groups, and small businesses in areas where commercial Internet service providers (ISPs) may not see profit potential. By taking a bottom-up approach, community networks empower people to take control of their own connectivity and create their own solutions for digital inclusion.
Community networks can take many forms, from mesh networks that rely on interconnected nodes to provide coverage to an entire community, to community-owned ISPs that provide affordable Internet access. These networks can also provide opportunities for local businesses to grow and for community members to gain digital skills and access online resources. As the need for reliable and affordable Internet access continues to grow, community networks offer a promising solution for bringing connectivity to underserved areas and communities.
New Technologies and Inclusion.pdfNew Technologies and Inclusion
This article compiles the insights shared by the panelists during the "New Technology and Inclusion" discussion at the "VARIOUS INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERIENCES (VITE I)" conference. This event was centered on the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality as tools for promoting science, exploring new boundaries, and overcoming challenges. The article covers a diverse range of topics, including the participation of individuals with disabilities in creating devices for better access to scientific knowledge, the state of Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences with respect to equality and inclusion, the role and accountability of these emerging technologies in contemporary scientific discourse, and several instances of utilizing inclusive AR/VR technologies for scientific investigation and public involvement.
Recent data highlights a significant disparity in the actual internet speeds between households in rural and urban areas of Canada. The gap is substantial, with rural download speeds being almost 12 times slower than those in urban areas, according to measurements taken in April. The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the divide, with rural users experiencing further decreases in internet speeds while urban users have seen increases. This growing digital divide underscores the need for targeted solutions to ensure equitable access to the internet across Canada. (Updated May 8, 2020)
State of Digital Inequity: Civil Society Perspectives on Barriers to Progress in our Digitizing World
Based on survey responses from 7500+ participants across 136 countries, this report provides the largest -ever mapping of the digital barriers facing civil society organizations — and those faced by the communities they serve.
It provides data across a range of issues, including access, affordability, digital skills, policy, and funding for digital equity efforts.
Click on the image to download document.
Will AI Chatbots Raise Digital Equity Concerns for Students?
Some ed-tech experts say the need to close the digital divide will only grow more urgent as Internet-based artificial intelligence tools become commonplace in schools and universities. (March 08, 2023 • Brandon Paykamian)
According to Pete Just, executive director of the Indiana Chief Technology Officer’s Council and board member of the ed-tech advocacy group Consortium for School Networking, student access to AI generative text technologies could be considered part of a larger national conversation around digital equity amid local, state and federal efforts to expand access to broadband and make devices available to students for digital learning. Rather than considering banning AI tools like ChatGPT as some schools and institutions have done, he said, educators should encourage the use of and access to AI chatbots as supplemental to enhance lessons. More ...