Access and Equality Access and Equality Sonia R. Jarvis, Research Professor at George Washington University's National Center for Communication Studies, outlined the NII's possible perils for social equality, particularly those resulting from complexity and cost. According to the U.S. Education Department , nearly half of the adult population has difficulty using complex information. She noted that automatic teller machines became popular only after an easy interface and a large, reliable network were available.
Cost is a major concern.
Not everyone can afford a high-end computer and modem. The goal must be to provide access to information, not merely access to unwieldy technology. To reduce the dangers, she recommended keeping a close eye not only on Congress, but also on state and local officials. So many feel that they do not understand what this is all about, and there's no one to show them how to become involved. Beyond unequal distribution of the NII's benefits, Jarvis echoed Sclove in suggesting that the technology may exert adverse effects.