Digital Inclusion Trailblazers is a public inventory of local government initiatives promoting digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents. NDIA first launched this effort in 2016 as an advocacy tool for local, state and national digital inclusion leadership, and as a handy database of examples for communities interested in taking similar steps themselves. The list also serves as an honor roll of local government initiatives that promote digital literacy and broadband access for underserved residents. 

With support from a Working Group of our affiliates, NDIA has identified six indicators of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, listed below. Communities seeking Trailblazer status may apply during the annual application window. Applications must include documentation showing that a community meets the criteria for which they are seeking recognition. Trailblazers are models for other local governments to pursue digital inclusion efforts in their own communities.

Trailblazer Indicators:

1. Your local government has, or directly funds, at least one full-time staff dedicated to digital  inclusion initiatives, policies and/or programs.
2. Your local government has a digital inclusion plan or is in the process of developing a plan.
3. Representatives of your local government participate in an open-access digital inclusion coalition.
4. Your local government has conducted or plans to conduct and publish survey research on Internet access and use by your residents.
5. Your local government directly funds community digital inclusion programming.
6. Your local government is taking steps to increase affordability of home broadband service.

We invite any other local government that fits one or more of these indicators to apply to be a 2022 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer. The application form provides a check-list and documentation requirement for each indicator.

Please click on the “+” sign on the table below to reveal individual Trailblazer resources.

2022 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers