By Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
October 3 – 7 marks National Digital Inclusion Week 2022, a time to promote digital equity and advance essential digital skills, digital literacy, and affordable internet connections for people in need. It is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of community-based digital skills training and supportive services in tackling America’s digital divide.
Local Goodwill® organizations are working to equip people with resilient basic and applied digital skills. Goodwill together with Google.org joined forces to launch the Goodwill Digital Career Accelerator®, a Goodwill initiative designed to mobilize local, community-based Goodwill organizations in delivering expanded and enhanced digital skills training. While programs like the Digital Career Accelerator support job seekers and career advancers as they grow their digital skills and competencies, Goodwill is also working to advance policy solutions to promote digital inclusion.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, provided $2.75 billion for Digital Equity Act programs that will help promote digital inclusion and ensure that all individuals have the technology and capabilities needed to participate in the digital economy. This funding will help support states in developing and implementing statewide Digital Equity Plans, with an emphasis on serving people with disabilities, low-income families, aging individuals, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and other populations facing barriers to opportunities and connectivity. The IIJA also created a Digital Equity Competitive Grant to fund digital inclusion initiatives, skills training, and other workforce programs offered by community-based organizations. Digital Inclusion Week is a great opportunity to amplify the voices of local Goodwill stakeholders in their states’ Digital Equity Act planning process. Learn more about Digital Equity Act programs and other IIJA broadband infrastructure funding opportunities here.
In addition, the IIJA authorized $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward home internet service for eligible households. Individuals and families may be eligible to enroll in the program if they have a household income below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line, or if someone in the household receives government benefits through programs like SNAP, Medicaid, Pell Grants, or Free and Reduced Price School Lunch. Goodwill and other community-based organizations can play an important role in ensuring that the people we serve are able to participate in this program so they can get online to live, work, and learn. Local Goodwill organizations can learn more about becoming a community outreach partner during Digital Inclusion Week by visiting AffordableConnectivity.gov.
