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The research consisted of 47 semi\u2010structured interviews and action research involving designing an e\u2010literacy curriculum and running a course based on it.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Findings<\/jats:title><jats:p>A discourse of missed opportunities and \u201cbeing left behind\u201d, present in policy statements and popular media, leads to objectifying non\u2010users of information and communication technologies (ICT) as \u201cothers\u201d. This discourse is often internalised by non\u2010users, but it does not necessarily lead to positive actions, leaving some feeling inadequate. So far initiatives seeking to address the digital divide have had moderate success. To respond to digital exclusion we need to oppose the unchecked spread of e\u2010services, and help non\u2010users of ICT to become users or (if they choose to) informed \u201c<jats:italic>refusniks<\/jats:italic>\u201d. Initiatives aiming to facilitate people's sustainable and meaningful use of ICT ought to draw on individual and community resources. A curriculum should be determined by learners' experiences and their expressions of needs, and go beyond IT skills.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Research limitations\/implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper does not offer a comprehensive review of digital exclusion, concentrating instead on chosen problems and arguments. It is based on the UK experience, and thus more relevant to developed rather than developing countries.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Practical implications<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper raises awareness of different issues related to digital exclusion and ways of addressing them.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title content-type=\"abstract-heading\">Originality\/value<\/jats:title><jats:p>The paper calls to question current discourse and initiatives addressing the digital divide, highlighting their limitations. It presents alternative ways of responding to digital exclusion.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1108\/09593840810896028","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2008,9,6]],"date-time":"2008-09-06T07:00:40Z","timestamp":1220684440000},"page":"267-282","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":36,"title":["Bringing lost sheep into the fold: questioning the discourse of the digital divide"],"prefix":"10.1108","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Ela","family":"Klecun","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]}],"member":"140","reference":[{"key":"key2022032019582728600_b1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Adam, A. and Kreps, D. (2006), \u201cEnabling or disabling technologies? A critical approach to web accessibility\u201d, Information Technology & People, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 203\u201018.","DOI":"10.1108\/09593840610689822"},{"key":"key2022032019582728600_b2","unstructured":"Bangemann, M. 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