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Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion

hands typing on a computer

Michigan Digital Equity and Inclusion

Today, we live in a digital world where high speed internet plays a critical role in how we live and interact with each other. The internet is the gateway to more opportunities for education, healthcare, employment civic participation and an enhanced quality of life. Unfortunately, there is a gap between those who don’t have access to high-speed internet, commonly referred to as the digital divide. To bridge the digital divide, communities in Michigan need to make sure every resident has access to high-speed internet. When all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy it is called digital equity. Digital inclusion means ensuring that individuals and communities have the tools and resources needed for all people to access and meaningfully use the internet and related devices.

Digital Equity Achievements

Michigan’s High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) worked with the public to learn about their needs and plan to improve digital access and inclusion across Michigan.

MI Connected Future

In 2023, MIHI hosted 43 meetings throughout the state as a part of the MI Connected Future listening tour to understand the barriers Michiganders face with high-speed internet. These sessions revealed that many residents had internet availability and affordability issues as well as trouble using the devices that connect to their internet source. Communities also expressed a desire to help but didn’t know where to find the right resources, funding or trained individuals to teach others about digital resources. As a result of these sessions, the Michigan Digital Equity Plan was developed to address the unique needs of each community. MIHI is launching a statewide Digital Navigator Network, known as MITTEN, to develop community-specific solutions for closing the digital divide.

Learn More About MI Connected Future

Digital Equity Plan

  • The Michigan Digital Equity Plan aims to ensure all Michigan residents have an affordable and reliable high-speed internet connection available at their home. The plan was developed in 2023 by MIHI using feedback from Michigan residents collected through the MI Connected Future statewide tour. The plan tackles barriers to digital equity like cost, learning to use the internet and getting the right equipment so that residents can both have and use high-speed internet by 2030. MIHI will accomplish this by working with internet service providers, community organizations and government agencies to increase online adoption and skills. 

    The Digital Equity Plan is designed to ensure every Michigan resident has access to fast internet for critical needs like education, healthcare and employment.

    The following goals and strategies are outlined in the Michigan Digital Equity Plan.

     

    Goal 1: Ensure all Michiganders have access to an affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection at their home.

    Strategy: Collaborate and align efforts between Digital Equity Act (DEA) and Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) planned activities and partner with communities, tribal governments and state agencies to align similar goals and timelines for infrastructure deployment and digital equity initiatives.

  • Goal 2: Attract workers and employers to Michigan.

    Strategy: Coordinate partner and support existing workforce development strategies and programs housed within LEO and other relevant state agencies.

  • Goal 3: Improve educational attainment including removing barriers for credentialing workers and in postsecondary achievement.

    Strategy: Collaborate and partner with Michigan Department of Education to improve online learning opportunities and additional pathways for adults to learn skills online.

  • Goal 4: Improve overall health outcomes, particularly with improvement in covered populations.

    Strategy: Coordinate and collaborate with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to monitor health outcomes pre- and post-deployment of broadband projects impacting covered populations.

  • Goal 5: Educate Michiganders about online services available to them as a resident.

    Strategy: Coordinate and collaborate with the Michigan Department of State to provide trainings to Michiganders about their digital residency and to support inclusive initiatives for covered populations.

MIHI will keep talking to communities across Michigan to make sure that residents know what resources are available to them and how to use them. MIHI will provide funding to organizations to support digital education and training in communities. However, these funds will not be given directly to individuals to pay for their internet services or to buy devices like computers.

Read Michigan's Digital Equity Plan

MITTEN

Michigan Inclusive Training Technology and Equity Network (MITTEN) is the official name of the Michigan Digital Navigator Resource Network. MITTEN aims to promote access to high-speed internet and digital skills training across Michigan. Digital Navigators will be stationed at regional hubs around the state to address specific needs of underrepresented, under-invested and underserved areas. MIHI will coordinate the efforts of navigators by partnering with local community institutions and state agencies to provide funding and resources to increase broadband adoption and develop digital skills through community-focused programs that remove barriers to internet access and digital learning.

MITTEN was created based on feedback from the 2023 MI Connected Future listening tour where residents shared their challenges and needs regarding high-speed internet access and digital literacy. MITTEN is made possible with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2021 Digital Equity Act.

Digital Inclusion Resources