IT can unite our communities

When there's a revolution going on right under your nose, it's only natural that all your time and energy becomes devoted to the cause. In the public sector, that current cause is the delivery of online services.

E-government will radically change the face of public services in the UK. Technology is the key enabler of Whitehall's vision of joined-up government, but the role of IT stretches far beyond online voting and paying council tax bills via the internet. Technology can also revolutionise the everyday lives of sections of the community.

There are more than eight million people in the UK with disabilities, many of them unemployed through no choice of their own. People with disabilities account for half of all working-age adults who are not employed but would like to have a job, according to the London School of Economics.

Technology can play an important role in helping these individuals to secure work. It can also improve their communication links and quality of life through a variety of online initiatives.

These initiatives should not just be charity-led. The overhaul of public services, necessitated by e-government, is a prime opportunity for those organisations involved to investigate how technology could act as an enabler for people with disabilities.

This investigation could easily be initiated by the IT department. As an IT professional, you have a distinct advantage. Not only do you understand the potential and limitations of technology, you can apply this specialist knowledge to the objectives and role of your organisation.

Public sector IT is at the height of creativity, providing professionals with the opportunity to extend the reach of e-government within their organisation.

By giving decision makers in the public sector a greater understanding of the capabilities of technology, e-government initiatives could combine existing services with new service provision.

These services can then be individually tailored to sections of the community, such as the disabled, elderly or single parents. Indeed, some local authorities are already making great strides forward.

The creative use of technology should not just be focused externally. IT can also prove a great enabler for people with disabilities within the public sector.

There is a huge range of alternative and adaptive technologies available that make employment for people with disabilities - such as visual and hearing impairments, repetitive strain injury or dyslexia - more sustainable.

IT departments need to ensure that, along with human resources and department managers, they are aware of the options available. Non-standard keyboards, joysticks, voice-recognition packages and keyboard emulation tools can be deployed cheaply and simply to improve the work environment.

Also, the advancements in remote access technologies mean that people can now work from home more effectively on a permanent basis.

E-government isn't just about adapting current processes and services for the internet and other electronic devices. It's about revolutionising the entire workings of the public sector in the way it interacts with its 'customers' or its methods for recruiting staff.

Embracing the internet and new technology means embracing change, which includes people as well as processes. A willingness to empower staff and enable individuals in the community will be central to the overall vision - and success - of e-government.

The increased use of technology in the public sector should not segment the community, but bring it together by breaking down barriers and providing new communication links. This is a revolution that should include everyone.

Colin Brown is government sector director at Computacenter