The coalition comprises around 23 organizations across the four counties and is meant to bring awareness to digital inequities, according to a press release. The plan is also meant to highlight programs addressing digital equity work and encourage more organizations and individuals to get involved.
NCW Tech Alliance and Our Valley Our Future led the plan, released Sept. 9 , and aggregated four county-level reports by local broadband action teams, supported by the Washington State Broadband Office in 2023.
“Those reports tell in aggregate that in North Central Washington, one in four individuals lack access to devices or (internet) connectivity, or the skills they need to really work and play and take advantage of digital resources,” said Sue Kane , NCW Tech Alliance CEO.
Digital resources can range from information or news to education, employment, and healthcare, Kane said.
“These are the things that people need to be productive and live up to their potential in the region,” Kane said.
The plan states its goal is “to empower all individuals in the community to fully participate in the digital world, irrespective of their background, income, language, education, or geographic location.”
Kane said the plan also calls attention to the inequities and outlines opportunities for regional partnerships and engagement “to work together to solve a complex social issue.”
The report shows that 19% of households in Chelan County are without internet service compared to the 12% statewide average. And, in Douglas , Grant and Okanogan counties, 20%, 17%, and 29%, respectively, don't have internet.
Kane said increasing digital equity in the region is important because it increases economic growth, as people will have more education opportunities, expand business reach, and become more workforce competitive.
The next steps for the coalition include continuing to bring awareness to the issues and to partner with government and nonprofit entities to find solutions, Kane said. One example of this is for individuals to join the NCW Tech Alliance and North Central Education Service District's Digital Navigator program to become navigators, which train community members with basic online navigation, email, webpages, portals, and more. To become a navigator, visit ncwtechhelp.org.
There will be a Digital Navigator next month and Kane said she will look to see if interest in the program increases.
Since the plan summary was released, Kane said nine local municipalities in the four counties have made proclamations to recognize September as Digital Equity Month and 43 organizations made commitments to the digital equity campaign on ncwtechhelp.org.
Some key points of the plan include:
* “Broadband expansion: The region has seen significant investments in broadband infrastructure, with counties, such as Grant and Douglas nearing complete fiber build-outs. However, areas like Okanogan still face challenges, with only 4% of fiber coverage, underscoring the need for continued infrastructure investment.
* Digital skills development: Digital literacy remains a crucial focus, with community-driven initiatives providing essential training to residents. Programs such as Digital Navigators are equipping individuals with the skills needed to navigate online spaces and utilize digital tools effectively.
* Economic and community impact: Increasing digital equity fosters entrepreneurship, enhances workforce competitiveness, and boosts economic growth. Studies have shown that students with home internet access can earn significantly more over their lifetimes, highlighting the transformative potential of closing the digital divide.
* Collaborative efforts: The NCW Digital Access and Equity Coalition unites diverse partners, including public utility districts, community organizations, and local governments, to drive regional efforts in digital inclusion.”
The full plan summary is available at ncwtechhelp.org.
© 2024 The Wenatchee World (Wenatchee, Wash.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
