Access to the internet enables access to many crucial rights and freedoms necessary for a functioning democracy and upholding the human rights of people in this country. From accessing education to jobs to starting small businesses and staying in touch with our loved ones, the internet is the great enabler to participation in civic and political life. Yet, for millions of people in the U.S. - nearly 30% - this is not possible because they do not have broadband internet at home or the devices and skills to use it.
The Digital Equity Act, passed with bipartisan support by Congress, enables all 50 states to build locally contextual digital equity plans to shrink digital divides across the country. It enables infrastructure support to expand broadband coverage, and programmatic support to local organizations who work with their communities to build digital literacy and confidence among new users. In the words of Senator Murray, who passed this Act in 2019, attacking the validity of this Act would impede “local libraries from getting funding to help seniors navigate telehealth options or middle schoolers in rural districts from getting laptops.”
The Digital Equity Act, passed with bipartisan support by Congress, enables all 50 states to build locally contextual digital equity plans to shrink digital divides across the country.
Accusations that the Digital Equity Act is unconstitutional are blatantly false and a direct reproach of what Congress, state leaders, and communities in every region have already committed to. This is not a moment to stop the progress that creates more jobs, positively contributes to the economy, and increases opportunities for veterans, seniors, low-income families, communities of color, and rural communities across the country.
Through 10 years of NTEN’s Digital Inclusion Fellowship, we have worked with hundreds of local organizations helping local populations who are cut off from internet access get online and get access to the thousands of resources that the people reading this online take for granted every day. What does digital equity really mean for these communities? Here are some stories of individuals whose lives changed through internet access and digital literacy.
- A frequent library patron who had never used a computer before would visit the library to fill out paper job application forms in her job search. She was trained to use the internet by a digital literacy trainer, and was able to find many more jobs online, apply directly, and land a new job.
- A mother from a low-income family wanted to support her children’s education, but didn’t know how to use a computer or communicate with her children’s teachers. She attended a free training program at the school district’s parent center, earned a free laptop for completing the training, signed up for her first email account, and learned t access the school’s communication platform.
- A senior citizen joined an activity with neighbors in the community center’s computer lab, where a digital literacy trainer showed him how to use the internet to find recordings of concerts from his favorite bands from his youth. Inspired, he began to host regular listening sessions and created a community built around music sharing.
- A veteran who already had valuable leadership and entrepreneurial skills, but wasn’t connected to the internet, found a local nonprofit’s internet skills course. After training, he started a business and launched his first website.
This is not a moment to stop the progress that creates more jobs, positively contributes to the economy, and increases opportunities for veterans, seniors, low-income families, communities of color, and rural communities across the country.
The internet is a powerful and necessary tool. It is vital that the internet is affordable and accessible to all people. NTEN will continue to work in collaboration with organizations of all sizes and mission areas to advance initiatives that help everyone be part of the digital world.
