Building Digital Skills in Rural Maine: One Skill, One Device, One Person at a Time

“We are on a mission to help residents overcome the digital divide,” says Rachel Williams, the first digital navigator for Washington County (ME) who brings essential digital skills to the community’s older population. The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) is utilizing a Google.org grant through the National Digital Inclusion Alliance's (NDIA) National Digital Navigator Corps program for Rachel and the team of Digital Navigators to help residents in this remote part of the state become more connected to the digital world. In rural Washington County, the older residents who make up much of the population often feel overwhelmed by technology or unsure where to turn for help. Rachel and the team’s role as Digital Navigators are changing that. NDEC partners with community organizations, libraries, town halls, churches, and senior centers to provide digital training and guidance, transforming spaces that locals trust into digital learning hubs. Their approach is rooted in patience and understanding, offering one-on-one support and leaning on NDEC Digital Skills staff to teach digital skills tailored to each community’s needs.