sustaining digital inclusion
DESCRIPTION
Sustaining Digital Inclusion; Dissolving Silos. Solutions to reducing gaps in digital literacy, broadband access and technology use started at the grassroots level. Having been through two federal programs in the United States, we now have top down attention and approaches being created. We learned from BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) the necessity of working through trusted organizations and individuals to increase information technology skills and home broadband adoption. Local approach is essential. Institutionalizing digital inclusion brings necessary attention and funding. Seattle and Minneapolis have staff dedicated to leading and coordinating digital inclusion efforts. Austin and Chicago are investing local resources in digital inclusion. The Google Fiber being deployed in Kansas City has resulted in funding and community collaborations focused upon making sure all residents benefit from the high-speed network in Kansas City. One of Broadband Rhode Island’s strategies has been to integrate digital inclusion into existing programs and initiatives. They have successfully had broadband data included in an open data warehouse, digital literacy included in the state’s adult education program, and broadband infrastructure and adoption data included in a statewide planning process.TRANSCRIPT
Integrating Digital Inclusion, Dissolving SilosICA Digital Divide Preconference: Communication and "The
Good Life”May 22, 2014
Alisson Walsh
Communications and Outreach Manager,Broadband Rhode Island
[email protected]@broadbandri
Angela Siefer
Senior Research Associate,Center for Digital Inclusion
[email protected]@angelasiefer
Digital Inclusion Definition
"Digital inclusion is the ability of individuals and groups to access and use information and communication technologies."
From “Building Digital Communities: A Framework for Action”, 2011
City sponsored:
Seattle
Minneapolis
Austin Chicago Philadelphia
Public Statements x x x xAccess & Use Surveys x x x Universit
y of IL at Chicago
xStaff x x xDedicated Digital Inclusion Funding
x x x xInvolvement in City-wide Digital Inclusion Network
x x x x
• 1995 - Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board created.
• 1996 - Staff position created. Community Technology Program now has 4 full-time staff.
• 1996 - Funding established.
• 2000 - Survey conducted approximately every 4 years.
City of Seattle
• 2004 - 4 local organizations partner on an AmeriCorps grant to utilize community tech resources.
• 2006 - Technology Literacy Collaborative created.
• 2007 - Funding established.
• 2010 - Staff position created.
• 2012 - Survey conducted annually.
City of Minneapolis
• 2006 – Mayor’s Advisory Council on Closing the Digital Divide was created.
• 2009 – Community technology planning process conducted in 5 neighborhoods.
• 2010 – BTOP SBA award.
• 2013 – City of Chicago Technology Plan released.
City of Chicago
• 1995 - Austin FreeNet support begins.
• 2011 - Survey conducted.
• 2013 - Austin City Council approved $200,000 for community technology and $50,000 to conduct a residential survey.
City of Austin
• 2010 - NTIA awards two BTOP grants in Philadelphia.
• 2010 - Office of Innovation and Technology is created.
• 2011 - City hires a Chief Innovation Officer.
• 2013 - Funding established for internal and external Keyspots.
• 2013 - Survey conducted. Will be released 2014.
City of Philadelphia
Internal External
Academy of Municipal Innovation
Innovation Lab
Innovation Fund
City of Philadelphia Components of Innovation
Civic Apps
Open Data
Digital Inclusion
“Among the KEYSPOTS partners, there is no single organization that ‘owns’ digital inclusion. Digital inclusion is something that everyone can, and should, collectively own in Philadelphia.”
Ashley Del Bianco, Program Manager, Office of Innovation and Technology, City of Philadelphia
City sponsored:
1. Stakeholder engagement that results in public statements of digital inclusion goals and strategies
2. Information technology access & use surveys.
3. Staff dedicated to digital inclusion.
4. Dedicated digital inclusion funding.
5. Involvement in a city-wide digital inclusion network.
The city’s involvement does the following:• Increases the likelihood that digital
inclusion issues will be integrated into other city departments and community-based efforts.
• Reduces the possibility that the digital inclusion efforts could become a political casualty.
• Increases potential for a reliable source of funding.
• Helps ensure that investments from all sectors are coordinated and strategic.
Sustaining Digital Inclusion
‘Location, location, location.’ Where does your program reside?
Broadband Rhode Island (BBRI) program relocated from economic development to RI Office of Digital Excellence.
Able to align digital inclusion programs with state-wide initiatives: healthcare exchange, adoption of new GED test, taxation system, state-wide planning economic development plan, etc.
Provides a more global view of broadband policy and legislation
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
A Series of Fortunate Events
1 2 3
Investment
Infrastructure Programs
• $21.7m federal grant to OSHEAN - new RI fiber
• $4.5m federal grant to BBRI for data and digital literacy
• $1.2m to RI libraries for public computing centers
• 450+ miles of high-speed gigabit fiber in RI
• Competitive data on broadband infrastructure in non-profit,ProvPlan – ‘decision making development’
• Strong infrastructure increases
• Partner with providers: FreedomPop, Mobile Beacon, Cox, etc.
• Digital literacy curriculum development
• Train educators, librarians, non-profits, etc.
• Dive deep into orgs: Providence Housing Authority- 6,000 residents
• Partner with Dept. of Education- Adult Ed
Open Source Digital Literacy Training Resources
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
Digital Inclusion intersects many state-wide efforts
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
Providence Housing Authority’s“Get Connected” Pilot Program
U.S. Senator Jack ReedAddresses BBRI Instructor Class
“Computer Skills for the GED® Test” workshop at CCRI
Current Numbers
A $350,000 Grant Funded Program
Residents Receiving Face-to-Face Digital Literacy Training
1,003
Public Classes Conducted 325
Instructors Attending a BBRI Workshop 214
Computer Labs/Classrooms Used Across the State 75
These numbers are grow every day. Not all agencies report back to BBRI.
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
Local Issues need Local Partners
Identify populations’needs
1 2 3
Education Jobs Social
Identify key broadband/digital needs in largest populations.
• Healthcare
• Child’s school
• Public Services
• Beginning IT skills
• Resume dev + email accounts
• Job search
• Networking and using online resources
• Communicate with friends and family
• Increase skills and confidence
• Increased independence
• Reduced social isolation
Digital Inclusion Profile: Providence Housing Authority
Local private partner donates PC’s for new computer lab
PHA sends Adult Ed Instructors to BBRI’s Digital Literacy Training
Mobile Beacon, PHA and BBRI partner to pilot 1st “Get Connected” program. 25 adult learners graduate from pilot.
PHA is awarded the United Way RI Olneyville Community Fund grant for $12K to support the “Get Connected” program through 2015
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
From Grassroots to the Statehouse
Over 45 of 50 states have some type of Broadband Policy Governance - advisory councils, authority, etc.
Created the first Broadband Policy White Paper for the state of Rhode Island through stakeholder engagement programs.
RI House Resolution- sponsored by elected official representing an underserved area of RI S 2827
RI Senate Resolution- sponsored by an elected official representing digital divide in RI H 7634
State Broadband Digital Literacy Program
Silos Begin to Dissolve
How To Leverage Resources and Create Opportunities
2
3
Partner with established institutions (RI Dept. of Ed)1
Create pilots > get results > leverage
Commit and Promote
Trailblazing Digital Inclusion Communities http://oc.lc/bdcpilot
Broadband Rhode Island http://broadband.ri.gov
BBRI Digital Literacy Training Portal http://literacy.broadband.ri.gov
Angela Siefer [email protected]@angelasiefer
Alisson [email protected]@broadbandri
Resources
Contact Us