The Unconnected ― Social Justice, Participation, and Engagement in the Information Society

Despite improvements to those affected by the digital divide, there are still many people who remain «unconnected» in today's world. This volume examines the problems of addressing the digital divide by closely examining those who remain unconnected – the untouchables or untouched within the information society. Some remain untouched because of access or ability issues that also reflect race, disability, class, geography, and socio-economic status, but others may be prevented from participation by factors of religion, language, philosophy, culture, or simply disinterest. With noted experts from communication, public policy, civic engagement, urban planning, and political science, the authors collectively examine the social, economic, and political contexts of the failure to reach the unconnected and the importance of including them in a dynamic, engaged civic democracy.

Paul M. A. Baker (PhD, George Mason University) is Associate Director at the Center for 21st Century Universities (C21U) at Georgia Institute of Technology and Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Disability Law & Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has published numerous journal articles dealing with issues of e-accessibility, disability policy, and virtual communities.
Jarice Hanson (PhD, Northwestern University) is Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is the author, co-author, editor, and co-editor of 24 books and the author of numerous articles about the social impact of digital technology.
Jeremy Hunsinger (PhD, Virginia Tech) is Assistant Professor in Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. He recently co-edited a special issue on learning and research in Virtual Worlds for Learning, Media, & Technology. He co-edited the International Handbook of Virtual Learning Environments and the International Handbook of Internet Research and has edited or contributed to several other volumes.