The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has taken over the Journal of Digital and Media Literacy this month. (My words, not theirs.) They are talking all about Digital Inclusion Policies and Programs of Local Governments.
It’s a topic I thought might interest a lot of readers – and would their upcoming interactive discussion on the topic:
- Join us for an interactive discussion of digital inclusion and local government on Jan. 11, 2017, at 1 PM EST.
- To join the conversation from a PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android, visit: https://zoom.us/j/4320943209
- To join on an iPhone, one-tap (US Toll): +16465588656,4320943209# or +14086380968,4320943209#
Here’s an excerpt from the articles…
Local governments are also in the perfect position to pull together digital inclusion partners, create local plans, increase awareness and raise funding. Which local organizations should engage and which strategic solutions they should employ may vary down to the neighborhood level.
The field of digital inclusion is new enough that even practitioners are still uncertain of the definition. To help us all move forward, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has published the following definitions of digital inclusion and digital equity:
Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This includes 5 elements: (1) affordable, robust broadband Internet service; (2) Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; (3) access to digital literacy training; (4) quality technical support; and (5) applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration. Digital Inclusion must evolve as technology advances. Digital Inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional, and structural barriers to access and use technology.
Digital Equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy. Digital Equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.1
The first four activities in the NDIA definition of digital inclusion overlap with the four activities identified by Colin Rhinesmith in Digital Inclusion and Meaningful Broadband Adoption Initiatives:2
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Providing low-cost broadband
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Connecting digital literacy training with relevant content and services
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Making low-cost computers available
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Operating public access computing centers