Organizations that already focused on access to the internet and devices (public use and in the home) plus digital literacy training, now find themselves working around the clock. Organizations that did not provide this digital inclusion programming now find themselves figuring out how to do so, again around the clock. Most of this work is local and none of them have enough resources.
NDIA is:
- Facilitating virtual spaces for information sharing
- Relaying on the ground experiences and federal resource needs to the media
- Advocating for local, state and federal resources
Community Calls
To help our community stay informed during this chaotic time – NDIA is hosting Community Zoom calls every Friday at 1 PM ET. During these calls, we will share national resources and on-the-ground strategies for providing digital inclusion services during this health crisis.
As we can not personally invite everyone to join these calls, we ask that you email [email protected] for the call-in information if you would like to join.
"The inequities in all our education systems are going to be even worse," says @angelasiefer of @netinclusion. https://t.co/xmZVwggRAw
— CityLab (@CityLab) March 24, 2020
The COVID-19 health crisis has shed light on the need for home internet service, and the large number of American households in all kinds of communities who don’t have it. Some Internet Service Providers have responded with new or improved discount broadband plans, that will only be available for a short time; others continue to offer plans that were created prior to the crisis. NDIA updates the list of Free & Low-Cost Internet Plans daily.
A speed test to build understanding of the impact that increased teleworking has on the Internet regionally, and to document how our broadband connectivity speeds are being impacted by this increased load over time. Can home connectivity support all of the traditional offline activities that have now moved online?
In the Media
"Trending in Education"
Digital Inclusion and the Covid-19 Pandemic with Angela Siefer
Latest News
Angela on Community Broadband Bits Podcast
Digital Inclusion Saves Lives During a Pandemic - Community Broadband Bits Episode 405 During this 31 minute episode, Christopher Mitchell from Institute of Self Reliance talks with Angela Siefer about the many ways that the pandemic has highlighted digital divides in...
NDIA Announces Digital Navigator Concept
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sudden, massive public need for trustworthy digital inclusion services. Millions of Americans need support from digital inclusion programs: to get connected with affordable home internet, find affordable computing devices, and learn...
NDIA Creates State and Local Governments Lists for COVID-19 Resources
Some 18 million Americans do not have access to broadband internet in any form, presenting significant economic and health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. NDIA has created a State-wide COVID-19 Digital Inclusion Response page, and a Local Government COVID-19...
Siefer to Ars Technica: No alternative to a federal broadband subsidy
NDIA is cited frequently in an article posted this week by Ars Technica on the differences and gaps in free and low-cost plans being offered by some major Internet Service Providers in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The online journal's Jon Brodkin points out that...
Urgent Call for Computer Donations!
Across America, the need for internet, computers, and digital literacy is acute and urgent.In order to stop the spread of COVID-19, schools, libraries, offices and gathering places across the country are being closed. This requires that everyone uses the internet at...
Siefer on COVID-19 stimulus: More action needed to connect millions of households
NDIA has released the following statement by Executive Director Angela Siefer on the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act: March 30, 2020 On Friday the House of Representatives passed and President Trump signed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act...
Free and Low-Cost Plans: Not all providers have stepped up
During the last two weeks, most of the nation's large internet service providers have responded to the COVID-19 emergency by launching free or very low-cost rate plans, designed to help more residents get and stay on line in order to cope with the sudden new demands...
NDIA Recommends improvements to COVID-19 Cable Internet Free and Low-Cost Plans
Many Internet Service Providers have stepped up with free or low-cost internet plans during this time of crisis. We very much appreciate their efforts. Two of the most important emergency plans are those announced by the two largest U.S. cable companies, Comcast and...
Hotspot Devices are Only One Connectivity Solution
The health crisis has drawn quick attention to the lack of home broadband access in the United States. According to the U.S. Census, 18 million U.S. households do not have an internet subscription of any kind (including mobile). Congress is attempting to address this...
NDIA has just launched a new, national listing of Free & Low-Cost Internet Plans
The COVID-19 health crisis has shed light on the need for home internet service, and the large number of American households in all kinds of communities who don’t have it. Some Internet Service Providers have responded with new or improved discount broadband plans,...