What organizations, community anchor institutions and local leaders should be involved in the effort to improve digital inclusion in your community? How will you coordinate activities and work together to ensure all barriers are addressed?

Consider forming a group that meets regularly to discuss challenges and opportunities and share best practices and local digital inclusion efforts.

• Make sure the coalition represents the diverse stakeholders addressing the digital divide including local government, community-based organizations, workforce development, community anchor institutions, schools, institutions of higher education like colleges and trade schools and local community members.
• Make sure the coalition has a designated “champion” — a leader who regularly manages and meets with the group, distributes broadband information and advocates for the community’s broadband needs.

What data and information are needed to understand digital inclusion needs and how different populations might be affected by the digital divide?

Consider conducting local surveys asking residents about challenges they face accessing high-speed internet and programs and support they would like to see in their community. Ensure that the surveys can be accessed in paper form and local languages.

• Key questions should ask about the current cost of internet, available speeds, teleworking, cost, digital skills etc.

What are the current digital inclusion programs, offerings and resources available in your community?

• Digital inclusion resource map to understand local programs and offerings.
• Survey the coalition and any other community stakeholders to determine what programs are available and who is involved.  Keep in mind that digital inclusion support can happen in informal or non-traditional settings.

What key goals and metrics should your team set to track progress on closing the digital divide?

• Using the collective understanding of the coalition and key data points, set two to three goals to improve digital inclusion in your community. Track progress toward those goals and update them as needed.

What are appropriate strategies and programs community organizations should implement to address the key priorities?

• Consider the gaps in local digital inclusion offerings based on community surveys and current programs.
• Determine which programs are currently being used at high rates or are oversubscribed, and ways to expand them.
• Identify potential state, local, federal and philanthropic funding opportunities that could support the goals and strategies of your community’s digital inclusion efforts. 

Digital Inclusion encompasses the activities necessary to ensure that individuals and communities have the tools and resources to access and meaningfully use the internet and related technology. Primary elements of advancing digital inclusion include:

• Access to reliable and affordable internet service
• Access to internet-enabled devices that meet a user’s needs
• Availability of basic digital literacy training and technical support
• Use of applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration
• Basic awareness of online safety and related matters

Digital Literacy is the ability to use current technologies, such as smartphones and laptops, and internet access to research, create content and interact with the world. There are five key characteristics of a digitally literate person. The digitally literate person:  

• Possesses the variety of skills — technical and cognitive — required to find, understand, evaluate, create and communicate digital information in a wide variety of formats
• Can use diverse technologies appropriately and effectively to retrieve information, interpret results and judge the quality of that information
• Understands the relationship between technology, life-long learning, personal privacy and stewardship of information
• Uses these skills and the appropriate technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, colleagues, family and on occasion, the general public
• Uses these skills to participate in civic society actively and contribute to a vibrant, informed and engaged community

Internet For All - Broadband 101

Table on Contents

• Broadband or High-Speed Internet?
• Overview of Broadband in USA
• NTIA Bipartisan in USA
• NTIA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Broadband Funding Programs
• The Life of an Internet Packet
• Broadband Key Terms
• Broadband Connection Types
• Broadband Economics