Transforming Digital Communities: Working Toward Inclusion, Safety, and Access. Learn more at ODLAN.ca
February • 2024
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Bridging the Digital Divide: ODLAN's Innovative Approach to Empowering 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities Our world is becoming increasingly digital—the constant flow of information, social connections, and essential services via the internet have become an integral part of our daily lives. However, for some, technology remains a luxury behind barriers, such as lack of internet access. Stephanie Jonsson, a PhD candidate in Gender, Feminist, and Women's Studies at York University, researches the intersections of aging, queerness, and new technologies. During the pandemic, she noticed time and again that members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities she was in touch with experienced isolation and loneliness. Admirably, Jonsson said, organizations moved much of their programming online
for a wider reach, but something was still amiss. “As somebody who spent a lot of time online and grew up with computers,” she shared, “I was quickly starting to question: how are 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors going to stay online? How are they going to get on to all these queer social programs that have magically popped up online overnight? How are we going to make these programs accessible?” Spurred into action by the situation, Jonsson co-founded the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN) to address the challenges that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities faced in accessing the digital world and while using it.
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THE HUMAN IMPACT ODLAN started as a community-based pilot initiative built on a study that looked at barriers 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults, affectionately called “rainbow seniors,” were experiencing while accessing remote services during the pandemic. The non-profit established a resource database to connect 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations with tech-focused organizations so the two sectors could collaborate to bridge the digital divide. “If a rainbow senior was struggling with digital mentorship for support, I would connect them with an organization, like Connected Canadians, which offers free services for digital mentorship support,” Jonsson explained. “That's why the resource database was created: to consolidate all the different programs that exist and make it clear which programs were queer-affirming. I really didn't want people to have to hide parts of themselves to access any service.” The lack of digital access meant
that rainbow seniors were also facing barriers in accessing essential services, like digital check-in processes at healthcare facilities. “[Access] becomes more limiting for equity-deserving groups— queer community members who may not have biological family support,” Jonsson said.“They may be relying on their chosen family to support them, and those chosen family members might not be available to do everything they need in their day-to-day life.” As she dug deeper into the issues caused by inequities in digital access, Jonsson noticed just how crucial digital inclusion was—and not just for rainbow seniors. ODLAN has since evolved to advocate for digital inclusion, safety, and accessibility for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. ODLAN’s latest work, The Internet Isn’t All Rainbow, shows the far-reaching effects of the barriers to the digital world, particularly in relation to the rising trend of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate in Canada's online spaces,
especially toward dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. The report highlights various forms of online hate, exploring the impacts on the mental health of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and addressing the need for support strategies and measures when online hate transitions to physical or in-person violence. By providing educational resources like webinars, infographics, blogs, and live speaking engagements, ODLAN is working to support 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations in being prepared to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve. Supporting ODLAN's mission means contributing to a world where everyone can thrive and fostering a community that ensures no one is left behind. Consider becoming a local sponsor, making a donation, or exploring the wealth of free online resources offered by ODLAN. “Together, we can bridge the digital divide for a brighter, more inclusive future,” said Jonsson.
Debut Single Calls For Attention to the Issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2-Spirit People A new artist collective named Zoongde`e (English phonetic: Zone-da-eh, Anishinaabe for ‘strong heart’) released their debut single “Where is Everyone?”—a raw and powerful folk song. Zoongde`e was brought together as part of the Culture to Wellness project, a partnership between Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS) and Toronto-based non-profit Make Music Matter (MMM) based on MMM’s Healing in Harmony music therapy model for trauma survivors. The therapeutic and victim services team at ALS have taken part in a series of workshops and collaborative songwriting sessions, culminating in the creation of the track “Where is Everyone?” They describe the song as ‘a letter to the world,’ a way to shine the light on the tragic and common reality of missing and murdered Indigenous women. “The fact that the woman in the song disappears is the closest truth to the reality that Indigenous people experience,”
explained Quinn Roffey-Antoine, Victims Rights Advocate at ALS and one of the songwriters. “The fact that her family and community cares and remembers her is part of the strength we as Indigenous women demonstrate.” “The song represents truth,” added Colette McComb, another member of the group. “We are seeking justice here. It represents educating the public. Our song honours the memories of those who we have lost and was done through the guidance of our ancestors.” For Zoongde`e, the creation of the song was also a way to process their personal experiences. Most of the staff at ALS have endured vicarious trauma through the front-line work that they do, and have endured intergenerational trauma themselves as Indigenous people. The project has provided them a safe space to be vulnerable, to express themselves, and find healing. Ultimately, their aim is to explore new ways of delivering holistic support to the
ZOONGDE`E IN STUDIO © COURTESY OF MAKE MUSIC MATTER
Indigenous people they serve. Christa Big Canoe, Legal Director at ALS and member of Zoongde`e, feels the project is an opportunity to revitalize the connection between culture, music, and healing—something that’s been disrupted by the violence and harm faced by Indigenous communities.
this new approach to holistic healing to more members of Toronto’s Indigenous population, including ALS clients and partners. In September 2023, Canadian rockers Billy Talent were invited to visit the artists in studio, learn more about the Culture to Wellness project, and share some musical guidance with the group. MMM’s Healing in Harmony music therapy model has been clinically proven to help reduce PTSD, anxiety and depression. Through the Culture to Wellness project with ALS, the organizations developed a new culturally-based healing “In 30 years of Aboriginal Legal model for Toronto’s Indigenous Services being an agency, what we community. The two-year project know works, what reduces recidi- is supported by the Government of Canada and will help ALS vism, what helps people get back staff and community partners to on track, what helps put people explore strategies to help trauma in better places is a connection survivors take ownership of their to culture and a connection to community,” she explained. healing journey through the creative process, while integrating Workshops will continue Indigenous healing methods. throughout 2024, offering ADVERTORIAL
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