If there’s one thing we can all agree on when it comes to the rise of the digital world, it’s that technology has the power to connect people from around the globe – from any location, any age and any background. But technology can, and should, always seek to evolve, and strive to include communities that may not have equal access to the platforms and networks that we’ve all come to depend on.
Thankfully, the barriers to having a more inclusive digital community are just that: barriers. And while they may slow us down for a moment, people will always find a way to overcome - whether that’s by championing untold stories from marginalised communities, or giving people with disabilities the tools they need to access and engage with the internet.
Read on to discover just a handful of ways that technology is becoming more accessible and more inclusive day-by-day.
Remote working connecting the globe
In the past, companies tended to structure the hiring process toward people who live close to the office, but the rise in remote working has presented teams with a unique opportunity to hire people from other cities, countries, and even time-zones – without forcing them to resort to long commutes or relocation. Not only does this mean that companies have access to a wider talent pool, but also that teams are becoming more diverse, bringing a wider range of experiences and backgrounds together through the power of collaborative tech. It used to be that shoddy phone service, poor internet coverage and limited file sharing would make this kind of remote teamwork impossible but today, these barriers barely slow us down. As mobile devices like the new Galaxy Book Pro continue to push the boundaries of video calling and 5G connectivity, tech can bring people closer than ever before.
Unheard voices share their stories
Another way tech is becoming more accessible and inclusive is through the content we see every day on our social feeds – as marginalised communities find new ways and new places to connect, and new opportunities to advocate for the causes that affect them day-to-day. Throughout the last year, we have sought to hero minority-owned businesses and organisations, like those of Sadya Touré and Nadine Khaouli, to bring them front and centre of our Facebook and Instagram feeds – while new platforms like TikTok and Twitch are giving young people, especially young women, a stage to showcase their creativity and passions, and to engage with the world at large on their own terms.
Accessibility at the forefront of design
In Europe alone, 100 million adults — roughly one in seven — live with a disability. For many, these disabilities make it harder to interact with the same platforms and apps we all rely on, for entertainment, for work, and even for education. But when we put accessibility at the core of innovation, we see those inequalities start to disappear. That was the central aim of Samsung’s presentation at this year’s CES event, where we unveiled a series of tech developments aimed at giving disabled people a better digital experience. The SeeColors application is designed to help those with colour vision deficiency (CVD) to adjust the settings on their 2021 QLED TVs for a better viewing experience, while the Sign Language Zoom feature on our TVs ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can easily enjoy the same cutting-edge technology.
Women are leading the charge
Over the last several years, we’ve watched as women have assumed the mantle of leadership – both in tech companies and on content platforms – bringing a diversity of opinions and perspectives to global conversations that had historically been more male-dominated. Female gamers have redefined what the gaming industry looks like – with more inclusive protagonists, more three-dimensional roles for female characters and more representation on game-streaming sites and eSports events. And female conservationists, like the tenacious Black Mambas, are saving wildlife populations in South Africa, using the state-of-the-art camera technology behind the Galaxy S20 FE to live stream animal habitats and prevent poaching.
We also watched as people from all over the world stood in solidarity and support, as women’s voices were amplified on International Women’s Day – giving female business leaders and political activists a bull-horn through which they could tell their experiences and provide guidance to other women and girls everywhere.
As artist Maria-Ines Gul said of International Women’s Day – “I feel inspired by stories of collective resilience, mutual respect and the spirit of female solidarity.”
Tech to help you connect
Here’s everything you need.
Neo QLED 8K
Galaxy S21 5G | S21+ 5G
Galaxy Book Pro
