Digital Equity The Next Generation of Broadband Planning

Digital Equity: The Next Generation of Broadband Planning Presented to Oregon Broadband Advisory Council October 18, 2017

What is Digital Inclusion and Digital Equity? Digital Inclusion - Process and Strategies Digital Equity - The Goal

Digital Equity ensures 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. City of Portland Digital Equity means everyone has adequate access to and understanding of information and communications technologies regardless of socioeconomic status, physical disability, language, race, gender or any other characteristics that have been linked with unequal treatment. Digital Inclusion is the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to, and use of, information and communication technologies.

5 Elements of Digital Inclusion 1 2 3 4 5 Affordable, robust internet service Internetenabled devices Accessible digital literacy training Quality technical support Relevant online content design

Effective Digital Inclusion Strategies: Define Understand target populations barriers for target populations Design hyper-local strategies Partner engagement and resource sharing

Partners

Chronology Leading Up to Plan Development 2010 Community Needs Assessment 2011 Broadband Strategic plan 2013/14 Portland Plan/ Comp Plan PORTLAND PLAN http: //www. portlandonline. com/portlandplan/ 2035 Comprehensive Plan http: //03 a 4246. netsolhost. com/yourvoice. html https: //www. portlandoregon. gov/bps/68386 https: //www. portlandoregon. gov/revenue/73862

Plan Development (2014 -2015) Digital Inclusion Network (DIN), formed in 2014, is an informal coalition interested in digital inclusion and serves as an advisory body for the DEAP • 5 focus groups with historically under-represented populations • 3 workshops with broad cross-section of the community

Digital Equity Action Plan 5 Goals • Access to the internet and devices • Culturally-specific training • Empowering community partners • Job opportunities for under-represented populations • Supportive public policy 17 Strategic Actions

Project Example Strategic Action 2. 3 Expand availability of culturallyspecific digital literacy curriculum

Considerations to Advance Digital Equity For OBAC: For communities: Develop a local digital inclusion plan For the state: Support local governments’ need for flexibility in determining local solutions • Identify digital equity as a 2018 report goal • Organize a statewide digital inclusion task force

Thank You For more information The Digital Equity Action Plan, detailed strategic action project descriptions and other resources are available at www. portlandoregon. gov/DEAP Contacts: Portland Office for Community Technology: Julie S. Omelchuck, OCT Program Manager, 503 -823 -4188, julie. omelchuck@portlandoregon. gov Rebecca Gibbons, Digital Equity Program Coordinator, 503 -823 -5515, rebecca. gibbons@portlandoregon. gov Multnomah County Library/ Multnomah County Jon Worona, Director of Content Strategies, 503 -988 -0335, jonw@multcolib. org