Equal Access to the Internet Underway

Long Beach is positioning itself to help narrow the gap for citizens affected by the digital divide, a problem that places many people at a disadvantage to digital and technological literacy.

Dubbed the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, a brainchild from the city’s existing Digital Inclusion Initiative created last year, the roadmap lays out a plan stretching out to July 2020 to create equity in access to internet technology.

“Having access to high-speed and quality Internet services is essential for completing day-to-day tasks such as applying for a job or accessing health information,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The groundwork of the Digital Inclusion Roadmap will ensure that everyone in Long Beach has equitable access and use of digital inclusion resources and services.”

Long Beach defines “digital inclusion” as ensuring everyone has equal access to and use of the internet and digital literacy training. The city already provides free public Wi-Fi, computer literacy training and public computers through the Long Beach Public Library system.

The Digital Inclusion Initiative is funded by transfer of $40,000 offset by First Council District one-time District Priority Funds, approved by the City Council March 19, 2019.

The city has used those funds to enter a contract with two consulting firms to aid with stakeholder, as well as community outreach engagement. The foundation of the roadmap will include collaborating with the community and cross-sector partners to uplift communities deemed the most needing during the development and implementation phases of the program.

The program’s announcement was at the forefront of the city’s Digital Inclusion Week Oct. 7-11. The events included personalized community outreaches and a social media engagement campaign to help teach communities about the technological and digital resources offered by the city, as well as US 2020 Census efforts.

The city celebrated its first Digital Inclusion Week in Oct. 2018 in alignment with the National Inclusion Alliance and the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance.

For more information about Long Beach’s commitment to digital inclusion, visit longbeach.gov/ti/digital-inclusion, or contact Rebecca F. Kauma, project lead of digital inclusion.

eric@beachcomber.news