NTIA Celebrates Vital Role of Digital Inclusion Programs

The week of May 8, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is joining communities, organizations and broadband advocates in recognizing Digital Inclusion Week and the important work being done by digital inclusion programs across the country. NTIA's BroadbandUSA program offers guidance, assistance and resources to help build the capacity of digital inclusion programs. A few highlights:

In March, New Orleans launched the Digital Equity Challenge to seek solutions for increasing technology use in its underrepresented communities. BroadbandUSA supported the City of New Orleans Office of Information Technology and Innovation by sharing information about federal broadband data sources and connecting New Orleans to other cities that had developed similar initiatives.

The Virgin Islands Next Generation Network (link is external) (ViNGN) recently purchased a mobile computer lab to expand its training and outreach programs throughout the United States Virgin Islands. BroadbandUSA shared best practices from other rural broadband programs, including the use of mobile labs, with ViNGN.

In 2016, BroadbandUSA collaborated with the National Resource Network, the International City/County Management Association, and the cities of Chattanooga (TN), Gonzales (CA), Greensboro (NC), New Orleans (LA), Springfield (MO), and Youngstown (OH) to produce the resource guide, "Access and Inclusion in the Digital Age (link is external)." The guide was designed to support communities of all sizes as they work to improve their digital inclusion strategies.