Policy

Awareness

Advocacy plays a crucial role in advancing digital equity by raising awareness and pushing for policies that bridge the digital divide.

In today’s digital age, access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s essential. Whether for education, healthcare, employment, or civic participation, digital tools and services have become central to everyday life. Yet, millions of people across the United States still face significant barriers to accessing these resources. This is what we call the digital divide, and it disproportionately impacts low-income communities, rural areas, communities of color, and other marginalized groups.

 

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.

By advocating for digital inclusion programs, we not only empower individuals but also strengthen communities and their economies.

 

Digital inclusion practitioners can play a vital role in addressing these disparities by raising awareness and advocating for digital inclusion policies at the local, state, and national levels. Here we provide resources for educating and raising awareness at every level, define policymaker’s roles, and provide some resources to guide you through the process.

Policymaker Roles

Policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels each play unique and complementary roles in promoting digital equity. Understanding their roles, jurisdiction, and how they can impact digital inclusion policy is important for working with each of them. Here’s a breakdown of their roles, responsibilities, and actions:

  • Local governments execute the programs and ensure that digital equity initiatives are tailored to their communities.
  • State governments provide the necessary funding, infrastructure, and policy framework for large-scale efforts and coordinate statewide programs.
  • Federal policymakers provide the national policy direction, funding, and regulatory oversight to ensure equity is a national priority.
Education and Awareness Building

Educating policymakers and building awareness about digital inclusion’s importance at the local, state, and federal levels requires understanding the unique processes, stakeholders, and avenues of influence at each level. Strategies and tactics should be tailored to each’s roles, responsibilities, and spheres of influence. 

Effective Tactics for Educating and Building Awareness with Federal Policymakers:

  • Send personalized letters or emails to your U.S. Senators and Representatives, educating them on your work, sharing success stories, and urging them to prioritize digital inclusion in upcoming legislation.
  • Call congressional offices and schedule meetings with legislators or their tech policy aides to educate them on the issue, share success tories, and information about your organization.
  • Engage with advocacy groups and participate in advocacy days in Washington, D.C., or virtually to influence federal decision-makers.

Tips for working with local and state policymakers are coming soon.



General Tips for Advocacy at All Levels

By effectively engaging with policymakers at each level, advocating for digital equity can lead to meaningful change that ensures everyone has access to the digital tools and skills necessary to thrive.

NDIA has created a suite of resources and tools to raise awareness of digital inclusion policy: Finding Your Federal, State, and Local Officials, Template Agenda for an In-District Congressional Meeting, and Profile Templates for Members of Congress. See NDIA’s Resources below for more awareness tools and resources.

Tailor your messaging to the specific level of government you are engaging with and the individual lawmaker’s priorities, experiences, and interests. Local officials may be focused on practical, community-specific solutions, while state and federal policymakers may need to understand the broader implications of digital equity and how it ties into larger policy goals like education, healthcare, and economic development.

When advocating, use both statistical data and personal stories to demonstrate the impact of digital inequity. Quantitative data, like broadband subscription rates or device ownership statistics, combined with qualitative experiences, can be powerful tools in persuading policymakers.

Advocacy is often an ongoing process. After meetings or discussions, follow up with thank you notes, additional information, or updates on the issue. Keep the conversation alive and engage regularly to build a long-term relationship with decision-makers.

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