Digital Inclusion Guide for States: How to Prepare for Success in Your State Digital Equity Planning

This guide provides state and territory leaders with simple, tactical steps to prepare now for planning and eventual implementation of digital equity strategies. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Digital Equity Act (DEA) funds the creation and implementation of statewide digital equity plans. The opportunity the IIJA provides to states is the chance to step back and thoughtfully design a statewide digital equity strategy to holistically meet the unique needs of each state’s residents, leverage the state’s assets, and identify innovative and creative solutions to achieve digital equity within the state. The Digital Inclusion Guide for States is a timely tool to prepare for the forthcoming planning opportunity the DEA provides. The guide includes digital inclusion essentials, an overview of the DEA, an estimated timeline, tips for preparing for the planning requirements, recommendations for weaving digital equity throughout all state-led broadband activities, and ideas and best practices from other states with digital inclusion activities already underway. There are two main recommendations for states to start on right now: 1) building state digital equity capacity, and 2) creating a plan for constructing the DEA plan.