“#Communitynetworks are built and maintained by the people they serve. They are rooted in collaboration, solidarity and open knowledge. This model proves that access can be universal and affordable when it is community driven. We need policies that enable this, not ones that favour only commercial interests."
Julián Casasbuenas from Colnodo highlights how community-centred connectivity initiatives make a difference for #DigitalInclusion
#SustainableConnectivity
#InnovativeFinancing
While traditional market-driven models have left billions without access to affordable, meaningful connectivity, community-centred approaches provide proven grassroots solutions that prioritize social impact, treat users as partners, and build sustainable networks rooted in local trust and knowledge.
Join us in spreading the word and amplifying community-powered connectivity.
(4) This editorial is the direct result of the #SummerSchool on #DigitalInclusion & #GenAI (Donostia, July 2025). Thanks to all municipal leaders, civic groups & migrant organisations that co-created the debate!
#UrbanAI #SocialInnovation #Supercomputing
(3) Algorithmic accountability must become public infrastructure, just like water or electricity — essential for trust in #UrbanAI.
(2) Inspired by Richard Nelson’s classic “ #MoonAndTheGhetto” paradox, we ask:
Can #UrbanAI bridge the gap between innovation & inequality?
(1) From #SmartCities 
to #UrbanAI:
Shifting focus from technocentric dashboards to equity, inclusion, and human rights in urban governance.
New article out in journal #DiscoverCities!
“ #DigitalInclusion & #UrbanAI:
Strategic Roadmapping + Policy Challenges”
#OpenAccess here
Problem sa BPI Mobile App – Screen Reader Accessibility for Blind People
Hi guys, I’m Aaron, I'm blind, BPI client and credit card holder. For the past 3 weeks (and counting), totally wala akong access sa BPI Mobile App. Hindi ako makalog in, makacheck ng balance, o makabayad ng credit card bill kasi yung app is completely unreadable sa TalkBack (screen reader application naming mga blind at visually impaired users sa Android).
Ano yung screen reader application?
Para siyang voice na nagbabasa ng laman ng screen para magamit naming mga bulag ang phone o computer – from chat, shopping, entertainment, social media hanggang banking.
Kung hindi accessible yung app sa screen reader, hindi namin siya magagamit. kumbaga sa mga nakakakita, blank screen ang nakikita namin.
Kung sa mga nakakakita ito nangyari at biglang nag-blank screen yung buong app nila, sigurado ako na aayusin agad-agad ng BPI.
Pero sa amin, 3 weeks na, and counting. Totally no access. Hindi “inconvenient” lang — this is zero access.
At hindi naman puwede na sasabihin lang na “magpa-assist ka na lang”. Banking is confidential, at dapat independent kaming makagamit ng sarili naming accounts. Kung sa sighted clients hindi acceptable na may ibang makikialam sa banking transactions nila, dapat ganoon din ang respeto at trato sa aming mga bulag.
This is not just a tech issue — violation ito ng rights ng PWDs. May mga batas na nagsasabing dapat accessible at nondiscriminatory ang services:
RA 7277 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disability)
RA 9442 (penalizing discrimination)
BP 344 (Accessibility Law)
Plus, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Responsibility ng BPI na siguraduhin na inclusive at accessible ang banking services nila. Hindi puwedeng ma-exclude ang PWD clients.
Kaya I’m calling on BPI:
1. Ayusin agad ang issue at gawing screen reader–friendly ulit ang mobile app.
2. Maglabas ng malinaw na statement at timeline kung kailan maaayos ang problem sa access.
3. and hopefully, mag-commit na lahat ng future updates ay dumadaan sa accessibility testing.
At nananawagan din ako sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP): bilang regulator ng mga bangko, dapat ninyo itong aksyunan at siguruhin na ang lahat ng financial institutions ay sumusunod sa accessibility at nondiscrimination laws. Hindi puwedeng iwan sa ere ang PWD clients.
Accessibility is not a favor. Karapatan namin ito.
Kung naniniwala ka sa equal rights ng PWDs, specially for blind people, at sigurado akong may kilala kang PWD friend o family member, please gawin mo ito para sa amin—share niyo itong post para makita ng BPI at BSP na dapat na itong aksyunan.
Defining gender diversity isn’t just a semantic exercise for a brand—it’s the foundation for respectful, effective & inclusive design. Designing for marginalised genders & identities means clarifying who that includes, acknowledging experiences & creating with authenticity. While this process can be challenging, the result is genuine connection & impact. Read our latest blog explaining our approach to inclusive design.
>>> How can we strengthen the community-centred connectivity movement?
The fourth and final episode of the second season of the #RoutingforCommunities podcast is on the air, reflecting on this key and powerful question.
Find out more from the experience of communities and partners who work to support these initiatives.
----> Join us in this journey and be part of the movement.
Africa: 'Take Urgent Steps to Address Africa's Digital Divide' - Speaker of Parliament Urges African Parliaments: [Ghanaian Times] The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged African parliaments to take urgent steps to address the digital divide between countries and regions, citing the technological gap between the parliaments of Rwanda and Ghana as an example. http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TMQrVx #DigitalDivide #Africa #TechForGood #DigitalInclusion #Parliament
A new Tech-Together webinar on “Bridging the Gap from Vision to Fibre Deployment: Community-Centric Approaches in Africa.”
Three online meetings to address how community networks are building local capacity and inclusion through community-led fibre and wireless connectivity.
1st. meeting: Thursday 14 August at 13 UTC
More info and register here https://www.apc.org/en/event/tech-together-webinar-bridging-gap-vision-fibre-deployment-community-centric-approaches.
Africa: Visa Selects 22 Startups for Fourth Africa Fintech Accelerator: [Daba Finance] Visa has selected 22 startups for the fourth cohort of its Africa Fintech Accelerator, a 12-week virtual programme aimed at scaling fintech solutions The programme is part of Visa's $1 billion commitment to Africa's digital and financial inclusion, pledged through 2027 Launched in 2023, the accelerator has supported 64… http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TMNRwX #Fintech #Startups #Africa #DigitalInclusion #FinancialInclusion
APC at WSIS+20 Review High Level Event / Highlights of Day 2
With @redesac_mx, @derechosdigital, @keith, IT for Change and others
APC at WSIS+20 Review High Level Event / Highlights of Day 1
With @internetsociety, Rhizomatica and Digital Empowerment Foundation
>>> At APC we have our own federated instance on #Peertube @peertube, where we publish videos related to our work themes:
#InternetGovernance
#EnvironmentaLJustice
#FeministInternet
#HumanRights
#DigitalInclusion
---> More about Peertube in our column on @NGIZero - Building a #FreeInternetOfTheFuture
https://www.apc.org/en/news/peertube-network-independent-self-managed-and-interconnectable-platforms
A new study (arxiv.org/pdf/2506.088...) has sparked fierce debate online and rightly so. Researchers tracked students over four months to measure how using ChatGPT affected memory, brain activity and engagement. 
#AIethics #contentdesign #ux #digitalinclusion #contentstrategy
arxiv.org/pdf/2506.08872...
Tired of waiting for accessibility features to catch up?
You’re not alone.
The good news: there are more options now than ever before.
#Accessibility #TechForAll #DigitalInclusion https://buff.ly/5gYDBHC
@56tambo – Bloemfontein, South Africa
56 Tambo is a youth-led, inclusive arts venue in Bloemfontein Central, offering a space for creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
>>> Free and open source software project @kiwix has provided access to vital information in diverse places, including in isolated communities.
"If there's one thing we've learnt over the years, it is that the digital divide can take many forms: rural schools in Africa, refugee camps in the Middle East or South Asia, prisoners in the US or Europe, North Korean dissidents..."
New interview in our Series Building a #FreeInternetOfTheFuture:
Learn more: