TechReach is a non-profit dedicated to improving the the lives of central Virginia’s youth by facilitating equal access to technology as well as equal opportunity for technical literacy.

Technology Literacy and the Digital Divide

Literacy used to be defined as reading and writing; but recently, being literate requires a working knowledge of computers and software applications. The term digital divide refers to the gap between those people with effective access to information technology and those without. It includes both the imbalances in physical access to technology and the imbalances in resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a productive citizen (technology literacy). In others words, it’s the unequal access by some members of society to information technology and the unequal acquisition of related skills.

Groups most often negatively affected by the digital divide include socioeconomic (rich/poor), racial, and geographical (urban/rural). Meanwhile, corporations face the constant challenge of staying up to date with technology so they can maintain a competitive edge. Consequently, older machines often are left to the trash heap; this waste is harmful for the environment and is costly to dispose of. TechReach strives to help close the literacy gap by reaching out to our community’s disadvantaged and bridging the digital divide.