All posts by Geneva Blackmer

Geneva Blackmer is a Ph.D. Candidate at Amridge University and a Research Assistant in the Theological Faculty at the University of Bonn. She has published in the field of digital religious communication and holds a master’s degree in religious and ecumenical studies. As a Digital Literacy Instructor for Guiding Ohio Online, she worked to bridge the digital divide in rural, lower-income communities throughout the state of Ohio. She is the current Interim Director of the Interfaith Center at Miami University, and a Global Council Trustee for URI, among many other affiliations with local and international interfaith organizations. 
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Interfaith Bridgebuilding Across the Digital Divide – by Geneva Blackmer

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What is the Digital Divide?

It is difficult to explain the realities of the digital divide to those who live comfortably on either side of the partition. Contemporary definitions include not only having access to technology, but also the right to digital literacy, digital participation, and social inclusion. While I was aware of the rapid and pervasive advancement of the digital world, correlating gaps in access did not fully become apparent until I began working within various public library systems. Over the years, I have assisted library patrons with everything from job applications to filing for social security, disability, and other medical benefits, to submitting college essays. The common denominator in all scenarios is that no option remained available for them to perform these tasks without technology, which was made accessible almost exclusively through public library services.

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