Brightwave supports the Digital Divide Campaign

Working with the e-Learning Foundation to help disadvantaged children gain digital skills

Brightwave, the workplace learning specialist, has signed up to support the nationwide EQUITY campaign (Equal Opportunity in IT for Young People). The company has worked closely with the e-Learning Foundation - one of the founding members of the EQUITY campaign and Brightwave's selected charity - for over three years on a variety of projects.

At least one in four children in the UK today lacks home access to ICT (a computer and the Internet) for their schoolwork. The EQUITY campaign is developed to help eliminate the educational disadvantage this digital divide is creating for over 2 million school children in the UK who do not have access to a computer and the internet at home for their schoolwork.

"We are delighted to have been elected Approved Campaigner for the EQUITY campaign," said Charles Gould, Managing Director for Brightwave. "There is such a wealth of information available on the Internet that all children should have access to it regardless of their background or status. And with information technology playing such an important part in today's workplace it's important that children have an equal opportunity to becoming proficient users early in their life."

The EQUITY campaign aims to ensure that every school is made aware of what steps it can take to address the digital divide as it affects local children and provides a range of opportunities for ICT suppliers, government agencies, charities and other organisations to make a contribution.

"I am delighted to welcome Brightwave on board as an Approved Campaigner for EQUITY," commented Valerie Thompson, CEO of the e-Learning Foundation. "Brightwave's contribution will be invaluable in raising the awareness of the digital divide in our schools and helping enhance educational opportunities for all young people in this country."

She added: "ICT plays a very important role today, it is vital children, regardless of their social and financial situation, can access technology at home to support their learning programme."