During this #LockdownNZ / #RāhuiNZ, I've been working from home. One of the things I'm doing is helping people get cheap/affordable internet access & helping them get set up via phone. Doing this has reinforced the following:

#InternetAccess is a #BasicHumanNeed in this modern world, especially in these circumstances. So much is online. News, information, government agencies, ways of connecting with others, grocery shopping, etc. Without the internet you can end up being totally #isolated.

WRT tech, there's a spectrum. Everyone's on it. Many ppl are still #DigitallyDisadvantaged & really struggle. They're from all walks of life - diff ages, backgrounds, education lvls, ethnicities, neighbourhoods, socio-economic classes, literacy/lg abilities... Can't pre-judge!

For example, I've helped people who are well-educated, people who would be considered " #DigitalNatives", people in "good neighbourhoods", in addition to those who are recognised as the #DigitallyDisadvantaged / marginalised.

Even though there's a spectrum of tech ability that goes across society, access to devices is definitely an indicator of wealth. Often, a family's socio-economic situation is discernible by the tech they have. Tech & #DigitalAccess can do a lot to improve #equity.

#Empathy is so important as is patience & a good sense of humour. For a few of the ppl I've helped, it has taken well over an hour to get their modem set up via phone. One family took nearly 2 hours & a child translator (w/ another screaming on their end). Kindness was paramount.

The need to be " #connected" is strong, esp now & this understandably brings out emotions. Some ppl hv been ecstatic abt getting the internet. Some tearful. Others hv been so desperate that they'll call/text at all hours. Evenings. Wkends. 2am. B4 any1 says anything, I don't mind.

I don't mind b/c it’s temporary & only for a short period of time - not forever. We are all in this together & this is a small part I can play to help. #ServingMyCommunity

The work #CallCentres & #IThelpdesks do can be difficult, esp since it's all verbal & nothing visual - amplified by helping ppl under stress. It's lovely meeting new people on the phone; but, it isn't always easy! Hats off to these workers!

B/c of these recent experiences, I know what we're doing at work to help get ppl online & #DigitallyLiterate is so important. But, we still need to do more... And, I'm even more determined. #ImprovingEquity #ServingMyCommunity