The Digital Literacy Alliance (DLA), a coalition of digital inclusion partners working to overcome the digital divide in Philadelphia, announced its Fall 2024 grant cycle recipients. DLA said this latest cycle focuses on innovative community engagement practices that address digital inclusion through resident volunteers, peer leadership, and/or community ambassador models.
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will distribute more than 9,100 laptops to community institutions across the commonwealth to support residents who do not have access to digital technology.
The city of Madison, Wis., is launching a new online resource hub that will connect residents and city staff with resources including workforce skills training, digital devices, Wi-Fi service, and digital literacy training.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has received more than 700 applications seeking $6.5 billion in funding for digital equity projects. NTIA noted that the total requested amount of funding is more than six times the available amount from the first round of the Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program funding.
The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State – in partnership with the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Access to Justice and The Chicago Bar Foundation – launched a new pilot utilizing local libraries’ technology to improve court access.
Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia has become the first state park in the country to install the RightHear Accessibility system which improves inclusivity and accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision.
This fall, Utah State University (USU) will launch the National Center on Accessible Digital Educational Materials and Instruction (NCADEMI), which aims to ensure students have accessible digital resources.
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has opened the application period for the new Digital Connectivity Technology Program, which will distribute laptops to community institutions to help connect Pennsylvanians who lack digital technology.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has launched a new equity tool that is designed to help ensure all Californians benefit from transportation projects, and identify communities most negatively impacted by the transportation system which can result in high rates of traffic, crashes, and air pollution, as well as limited transit options.
The city of Detroit has announced new milestones in its efforts to close the digital divide and improve digital equity in the city. Specifically, the city is using its “Certified Tech Hub” initiative to ensure residents can easily determine where they can access digital resources, literacy training, and internet-connected devices.
