The Smith Family: Understanding the barriers to participation

Orfeus Research was commissioned by The Smith Family to edit and write a report into social and economic disadvantage in Australia. The report, Barriers to Participation - Financial, Educational and Technological: A report into the barriers to societal participation among low-income Australians, brought together the findings from several important research projects that were either commissioned or undertaken by The Smith Family. The report contains three main chapters that focus respectively on aspects of the financial, educational and technological barriers to participation. The report was launched by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations on 18th March 2003 at Parliament House, Canberra and formed the basis of The Smith Family's submission to the Commonwealth Senate Inquiry into Poverty and Financial Hardship.

The report received extensive media attention and was praised by social policy analysts and politicians. To read Senator Marise Payne's speech 'Telecommunications challenges of the "Digital Divide"' go to www.marisepayne.com/speeches/speeches.html .

 A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.smithfamily.com.au/content.cfm?randid=337489