Do the Work

Policy

NDIA advocates for policies to advance digital equity and support local digital inclusion programs.
We advocate for local, state, and federal policies to advance digital equity and support local digital inclusion programs.

NDIA focuses our policy efforts on leveraging, sustaining, and expanding funding and support to programs that provide digital navigation services, access to affordable broadband service, appropriate devices, and digital skills training and support.

Quick Links
  • Digital Equity Act
    The Digital Equity Act (DEA) is a bipartisan law included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) designed to work towards digital equity nationwide by providing funding and resources to states and digital inclusion practitioners.
  • Broadband Affordability
    Broadband affordability ensures everyone can access reliable, high-speed internet at a reasonable cost that meets their long-term needs.
  • Awareness
    Educating policymakers and building awareness around how digital inclusion programs address and support the closing of the digital divide is essential in sustaining the ecosystem.
NDIA's Policy Priorities

Digital inclusion work is inherently local. Yet, the federal government plays a unique and critical role in enabling and supporting it through laws, rules, regulations, oversight, technical assistance, and funding. Long-term solutions to bridge the digital divide require all hands on deck, and NDIA’s 2026 policy priorities provide a blueprint for policymakers to enable sustainable, holistic solutions (more detail for each recommendation is forthcoming). NDIA’s 2026 Policy Priorities are:

 

  1. Reinstate the Digital Equity Act
  2. Modernize the Universal Service Fund and its Programs
  3. Make Broadband Affordable for Everyone in the US
  4. Sustain the Momentum and Continue Funding Digital Inclusion Ecosystems, Organizations, and Programs
  5. Create a National Digital Equity Strategy that Aligns Federal Efforts and Fosters Resiliency
  6. Fund and Invest in Digital Skills Learning Opportunities for Everyone in the US
  7. Increase Access to Devices for Everyone in the US
  8. Ensure Equitable Deployment and Access of Broadband Services 
  9. Make Digital Inclusion Data Available for Use by Policymakers and Practitioners

Policy Resources

NDIA develops policy and advocacy resources for its affiliates, digital inclusion practitioners, and advocates to support and promote the implementation of policies that advance digital equity.

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Sign-On Template Letters Urging Use of All BEAD Non-Deployment Funds

NDIA developed three templates for you to use in advocating for your state to retain its full BEAD allocation, including the non-deployment funds, and the ability to spend them on broadband adoption projects as Congress originally intended.

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Template Funding Policy
Digital Equity Act (DEA) Advocacy Tools

A suite of resources and tools that can be used surrounding advocacy for and awareness of the Digital Equity Act—the largest investment in digital inclusion efforts to date.

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Funding Policy
State Digital Equity Plan Toolkit

The Digital Equity Act (DEA) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design systems that will enable true digital equity. Congress and NTIA outlined specifics for states

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PDF Toolkit Policy State Support
State Digital Equity Implementation Manual

The Digital Equity Act (DEA) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design systems that will enable true digital equity. Congress and NTIA outlined specifics for states to include in their digital equity plans. 

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Manual PDF Policy State Support