Learning - Digital Opportunity
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Elsa Treviño-Dominguez
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Digital Opportunity
In order to fully realize self-sufficiency, participation and collaboration in an online world, Texans need access to affordable, robust broadband internet service; Internet-enabled devices that meet their needs; access to digital literacy training; quality technical support; and applications and online content designed to ensure life-long learning and skill building. Find resources below that can help your library and your community enhance digital opportunities for all.
A number of organizations provide no-cost or low-cost refurbished computers, tablets, and peripherals (eg. mouse, keyboards) to individuals and in bulk to organizations like libraries. These devices are part of the technology lifecycle and are often the product of institutional replacement plans from larger businesses or organizations in favor of upgrading to new technology. The devices are sent to certified refurbishers and go through a rigorous safety and upgrade process to ensure that they meet specific standards for use. Using refurbished devices helps put free or low-cost devices back into the technology ecosystem while decreasing E-waste.
Devices for individuals
- CompUDopt - Free computer lottery for qualifying individuals (must not have a computer at home and must have a child in K-20 education). Application in English and Spanish.
- Human-i-t - Low cost devices for qualifying individuals (low-income, veterans, people with disabilities, seniors)
- PCs for People - Affordable computer access for qualifying individuals.
Devices for libraries
- Digitunity - Non-profit that supports refurbishers and connects them with organizations to increase device ownership.
- Electronic Access Foundation - Device refurbishing and redistribution. Must be registered with Digitunity.
- Human-i-t - Low cost devices for non-profit organizations.
- PCs for People - Affordable computer access for qualifying non-profits
- TechSoup - TechSoup partners with computer refurbishers to provide computers, tablets, and accessories at affordable costs to libraries
There are a number of federal assistance programs for individuals and libraries to help offset the cost of a monthly internet bill. Non-profit organizations also offer assistance in helping individuals apply for the assistance programs.
Internet assistance for individuals
- Human-i-t - Assistance signing up for low cost internet. Option for English or Spanish on application.
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) - Comprehensive list of free and low cost internet plans. Plans are only available to eligible customers
- Fort Worth Neighborhood Wifi - Free Wi-Fi to residents of underserved neighborhoods of Fort Worth.
Internet assistance for libraries
- Austin-Free Net - Provides computers to Austin non-profits.
- E-Rate - Provides government funding that can help to cover the cost of a public library's internet service costs.
- Mission Telecom - Collaborates with libraries to provide unlimited wireless plans and capable devices, including hot spots, at affordable prices.
- Mobile Beacon - Organization dedicated to providing affordable hotspots and broadbands to libraries and nonprofits.
Adapt a template to incorporate your local community's resources. Share information about device access, low-cost internet, and free technology help and training.
- Central Texas Resources for Digital Needs (PDF) : This PDF guide is a compilation of resources from local, state, and national organizations that will help meet the needs of Central Texans. Use this guide as template to share similar resources in your community.
A local or regional approach towards expanding digital opportunity is a great way to build community and leverage resources for multiple organizations.
Coalition building resources:
- Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook - Best practices on convening and engaging local partners to advance digital inclusion. Publication from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
- Get Connected Y’all: A Guide for Securing Broadband for Texas Communities - Guide published by the Texas Rural Funders that explains ways to secure fast, reliable, affordable broadband internet service for your community. It is informed by the experiences of rural Texas communities.
- Broadband Planning Tools - Guide from the Texas Broadband Development Office about how to identify the needs in your community in preparation for funding opportunities.
Coalitions:
- Digital Empowerment Community of Austin - Network of nonprofits and education institutions working to improve Austin’s community’s ability to participate in digital society.
- Digital Inclusion Alliance of San Antonio (DIASA) - DIASA facilitates the collaboration of organizations providing digital inclusion services in San Antonio.
- Resilient Dallas - City of Dallas’s initiative to build a more digitally inclusive community.
- United Ways of Texas - Find your local United Ways. United Ways focuses on giving people in need access to education, income, and health which often involves access to technology.
Use data to help you better understand your community’s experience with the digital divide. The following tools allow you to see the cost and availability of internet services in your area as well as the populations that may be in most need of digital inclusion services.
- Broadband Now - Find plans, prices & ratings for every internet provider near you.
- National Broadband Map - This map displays where Internet services are available across the United States, as reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to the FCC
- Digital Equity Data Dashboard - Created by Microsoft, this dynamic map will you you visualize and gain an understanding of the economic opportunity gaps in towns, cities and neighborhoods across the United State.
Research about how libraries have led and implemented digital inclusion projects in Texas.
- Texas Public Libraries: Serving Communities to Enhance Digital Literacy: Created through a partnership with the Bureau of Business Research IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, this publication gathered primary data from main and branch libraries throughout Texas to identify areas of urgent need relating to digital literacy in communities statewide.
- Launching Digital Navigator Programs in Texas Public Libraries: A Program of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission(PDF): TSLAC awarded one-year American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to 10 Texas public libraries to support Digital Navigator programs. Afterwards, TSLAC funded a research study by UT Austin’s Technology and Information Policy Institute (TIPI) to evaluate the grant.
- Hotspot Access in Texas Rural Libraries: Take Home the Internet