National Digital Inclusion Alliance

On March 5th, 16 National Digital Inclusion Alliance affiliates from across the country, half of the NDIA team, and several of NDIA’s partners spent the day on Capitol Hill to share with Congress how NDIA’s 2,000 affiliates help people in their districts get and stay online safely. In total, we had 65 meetings with staff from the Senate and House offices of 23 states.

Mark Revolinski knows a thing or two about technology. After retiring from thirty-eight years in the telecommunications industry, he and his wife relocated from Wisconsin to Texas to be closer to his grandchildren. As a young retiree, Mark wanted to use his talents to give back, and while determining his next move, his wife saw a social media post from the Pottsboro Library in search of a digital navigator for their pilot program.

Don’t miss your chance to nominate a Digital Equity Champion! The deadline to submit your nomination is March 18. Named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance created the awards to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity: from promoting the ideal of accessible and affordable communications technology for all Americans to crafting programs and policies that make it a reality. Nominations (and self-nominations!) are being accepted for two awards:

Don’t miss your chance to nominate a Digital Equity Champion! The deadline to submit your nomination is March 18. Named for Charles Benton, the founder of Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance created the awards to recognize leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity: from promoting the ideal of accessible and affordable communications technology for all Americans to crafting programs and policies that make it a reality. Nominations (and self-nominations!) are being accepted for two awards:

When Shannon O’Brien first set up office hours at the Westport Library, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Within hours, seniors were trickling in, some holding laptops they hadn’t turned on in years, others with questions as simple as “How do I set up an email account?” After Shannon’s help, the relief on their faces was immediate. For her, these moments aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about helping neighbors gain confidence in a digital world that can often feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate.

“For me, being a Digital Navigator is an opportunity to give back to the community that shaped me,” shares Tyler Smith, Gila River’s Digital Navigator. “I want to help elevate our digital skills and uplift our voices in the pursuit of digital equity.” Born and raised in the Gila River Indian Community, Tyler embodies the mission of the Digital Navigator program. With his deep roots and passion for giving back, he is bridging the gap between infrastructure and accessibility, empowering residents one connection 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.

NDIA is excited to announce the launch of our new interactive Affiliate Map, a user-friendly tool designed to simplify connections with other Affiliates! The map includes search and filter options to help find affiliates by organization name and location. We encourage everyone to explore the map and discover affiliates in your area. If you need to update your organization's information on the map, please email us at community@digitalinclusion.org.

“The difference between opportunity and frustration often comes down to a simple digital connection,” said Abby Russell.

Digital skills frameworks and skill lists can be compared to the instruction you or others provide to better understand what levels and ranges of learning are being offered and achieved…and for users to recognize and celebrate their success!