Digital EquityDigital Promise is committed to advancing digital equity for all learners, especially those who have been historically and systematically excluded. We have led this work for over a decade by addressing accessibility, affordability, and adoption of technology tools and skills.
Achieving digital equity requires recognizing and dismantling inequitable systems, cultures, policies, mindsets, and behaviors that impede communities from civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. This effort is essential to ensure learners of all backgrounds and identities can fully participate in society, education, and the workforce, as well as build strong connections with one another and lead meaningful lives.
According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), 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”.
For digital equity to be successful, technology and tools have to be available; learners and families have to be able to affordably maintain them; and learners and families have to have the information and skills to access the technology. Availability, affordability, and adoption must all exist and work together in order for communities to remain connected, and fully participate in the society and economy of the United States. The statistics and testimonials below will display challenges and successful examples related to digital equity across different communities.
Columbus Municipal School District set up school-based wifi zones for families in rural communities (about 25,000 residents) to use, and worked to erect towers around the communities to expand wifi accessibility.
“I have witnessed firsthand how learners and communities can be uplifted when they are empowered with access to educational opportunities. In my experience, the most powerful disruptors of systemic educational inequity include equipping learners with digital literacy skills and broadband access.”
- Rita Fennelly-Atkinson, Director, Micro-credentials
Lynwood Unified School District, a primarily Latino community, worked with the city to get a large fiber contract that will ensure fiber lines over five years at reduced cost or free access for students and families. Access to digital tools has allowed more students to participate in dual enrollment with community colleges and universities.
”There are many factors that impact adult learner success in the digital age—from motivation to foundational reading skills—but owning an up-to-date, working device and possessing the skills to use it are absolutely fundamental.”
- Sarah Cacicio, Director, Adult Learning
New Brunswick Public Schools invited parents to attend workshops, provided in both English and Spanish to learn how to utilize district platforms and help support instruction at home. These sessions provided parents and caregivers with technology training, which allowed parents to ask questions about remote instruction.
“Digital equity ensures that all individuals have the technology resources to fully participate in society. In order to prepare our students and communities, we work to provide access and opportunities to students and households that will positively impact future generations.”
- Sara Martinez Crawford, EdD, Deputy Director for Professional Learning, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools
Ali, T., Chandra, S., Cherukumilli, S., Fazlullah, A., Galicia, E., Hillc, H., McAlpine, N., McBride, L., Vaduganathan, N., Weiss, D., & Wu, M. (2021). Looking back, looking forward: What it will take to permanently close the K-12 digital divide. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/final_-_what_it_will_take_to_permanently_close_the_k-12_digital_divide_vfeb3.pdf
American Libraries. (2022). A Broad Look at Broadband [Infographic]. AmericanLibraries.com. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/de-infographic.pdf
DigitalUS Coalition. (2020). Building a digitally resilient workforce: Creating on-ramps to opportunity. https://digitalus.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DigitalUS-Report-pages-20200602.pdf
Hiler, T., Fishman, R., & Nguyen, S. (2021, January 21). One semester later: How prospective and current college students’ perspectives of higher ed have changed between August and December 2020. Third Way. https://www.thirdway.org/memo/one-semester-later-how-prospective-and-current-college-students-perspectives-of-higher-ed-have-changed-between-august-and-december-2020
DigitalUS Coalition. (2020). Building a digitally resilient workforce: Creating on-ramps to opportunity. https://digitalus.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DigitalUS-Report-pages-20200602.pdf
Ali, T., Chandra, S., Cherukumilli, S., Fazlullah, A., Galicia, E., Hill, H., McAlpine, N., McBride, L., Vaduganathan, N., Weiss, D., & Wu, M. (2021). Looking back, looking forward: What it will take to permanently close the K-12 digital divide. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/files/final_-_what_it_will_take_to_permanently_close_the_k-12_digital_divide_vfeb3.pdf
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