SHLB Coalition’s Post

"In 2020, NDIA convened a group of digital inclusion practitioners to establish a definition for the term “digital navigator.” The term described a model for digital inclusion built upon years of similar work, tailored for the new realities of the time. Together, NDIA and our community further defined the work of digital navigators, adapted and scaled the model, and produced resources to help organizations launch and manage digital navigator programs. The digital navigator model is highly replicable and flexible to work in a variety of settings and target populations. Over these past few years, we’ve seen the digital navigator model evolve and shift in response to community needs (e.g. assisting community members enrolling in, then transitioning off of, the Affordable Connectivity Program) and organizational capacity (e.g. library staff dedicating more time to helping patrons with digital skills). We’re proud of the work done by the digital inclusion community to adapt the model to meet the needs of their communities and are honored to continue working alongside them. The core work of digital navigators remains to consistently provide holistic, individualized support through repeated interactions."

Community-Driven Digital Inclusion: Empowering Through Connectivity 🌐🤝 Digital inclusion is vital for bridging gaps in access to technology and opportunities. Community-driven projects have proven to be one of the most effective ways to ensure that underserved populations gain access to the digital tools and knowledge necessary for success. By focusing on local needs, these initiatives have created sustainable, long-term impacts, empowering communities to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Whether it's through affordable internet access, digital literacy programs, or tech-based community centers, these projects are proving that when communities lead, progress follows. #DigitalInclusion #CommunityDriven #TechForGood #Empowerment #AccessToTech #SocialImpact https://lnkd.in/dNVgNf_p

The Role of Youth Leadership in the Community Youth leadership is a transformative force within communities, playing a pivotal role in driving positive change and fostering sustainable development. As the torchbearers of the future, young leaders bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and boundless energy to tackle pressing community issues. Their unique position allows them to bridge generational gaps, inspire collective action, and advocate for equitable social progress. This essay explores the multifaceted role of youth leadership in the community, highlighting its impact on social innovation, civic engagement, and community resilience. Social Innovation and Creativity Youth leaders are often at the forefront of social innovation, using their creativity and digital fluency to address complex problems. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and global challenges, young leaders leverage social media, mobile apps, and other digital tools to mobilize resources and connect with diverse stakeholders. For instance, youth-led initiatives like climate action campaigns or social entrepreneurship ventures illustrate how young people can drive sustainable solutions. These initiatives not only address immediate community needs but also lay the groundwork for long-term systemic change. Civic Engagement and Political Participation Civic engagement is a cornerstone of youth leadership, with young people actively participating in political processes and community decision-making. Their involvement ensures that the voices and concerns of younger generations are represented in policy discussions. Through grassroots activism, voter registration drives, and participation in local government, youth leaders advocate for policies that promote social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity. This active engagement fosters a culture of democratic participation and accountability, empowering communities to take collective action towards shared goals. Building Community Resilience Youth leadership is crucial in building community resilience, especially in times of crisis. Whether responding to natural disasters, public health emergencies, or social upheaval, young leaders often spearhead relief efforts and community organizing. Their ability to mobilize quickly, adapt to changing circumstances, and collaborate across sectors makes them invaluable in crisis response. Additionally, youth leaders emphasize inclusive and participatory approaches, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable populations are not left behind in recovery and rebuilding efforts.  

Today I’m attending a roundtable as part of a Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Good Things Foundation’s roundtable series to shape ideas over the coming months to drive digital inclusion. As the new government settles in, it’s positive news that there is some interest in shaping ideas to drive a national digital inclusion programme but the most important commitment I’m looking for is one of sustainable and long term solutions that address systemic barriers of people and places. Who is responsible and accountable and who owns the levers around those barriers? The fantastic and progressive initiatives to address the same challenges across the UK’s regions cannot be underestimated. I’m conscious that many people and organisations driving digital inclusion are not part of roundtables or events so I make a point of sharing questions or thoughts beyond the room because the experience and knowledge beyond those tables and rooms are perspectives that need to be heard Whilst the theme of today’s roundtable is ‘Confidence and Engagement’, there are questions beyond this theme because when we talk about digital exclusion we know we are talking not just about skills, devices and connectivity, we are talking about demographic and situational inequity, social exclusion, literacy for life, poverty, affordable and accessible standards of connectivity and accessibility of public services. Areas suggested for action are: - redefining how we measure ‘success’. I’ve spoken at length with Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s ten boroughs and other regional authorities, community groups and various sectors around what ‘success’ looks like and how should we measure it. Is it attendance on digital skills drop in? Is it the NHS app uptake? Is it the number of devices given to a number of people in a community? Is it librarians having the essential skills to help residents that come to them with questions about using library devices, is it the number of Good Things Foundation Databank simcards that have been accessed because existing connectivity packages are neither accessible nor affordable for people that face certain challenges? Is it the number of people applying for e-VISA online? Is it all of these things? Who is being filtered out? The suggestion is that we avoid targets or metrics which may give a misleading picture that does not advance digital inclusion such as NHS uptake. What do you think? -champion use of non-digital methods to include people facing digital barriers. Is that enough? Should we celebrate that or mandate that senior leadership and those responsible for the service design are accountable for ensuring appropriate non-digital methods are used to include people who cannot access services? Discussions include: -what are the key interventions needed to ensure all citizens have the confidence to take part in a digital world? Is that the right question? -what do we need from government? Where is investment best targeted? Thoughts?

Our small but very mighty team submitted Colorado's application for State Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant funds bright and early on Tuesday morning. While this was a tremendous milestone, the work is really just beginning. Equity has been at the forefront of our work since the beginning. Equity work is difficult work. It takes longer and costs more money. Sometimes we have to change course completely, reworking solutions or starting from scratch. And it requires lots and lots of listening. Colorado's rural regions are sparsely populated, often with actual, physical barriers like mountains and rivers dividing communities, many with poor wireless or broadband connectivity. Language barriers abound, with a steady influx of migrants to Denver and surrounding communities. These are just a few of the challenges we face in getting devices and digital skills training and connectivity for those who need it most. Yesterday I spent a full hour with members of our Digital Equity Working Group, brainstorming, considering how to distribute our funding across the state in the most meaningful and equitable way possible. We're going back to the data we gathered over the past year, and thinking about the things people said to us about their experiences using the internet. While our working group didn't come to a solution, I know we will. I know that solution won't be perfect, but it will be as good as it can be. The funding states are receiving for digital inclusion via the Digital Equity Act is historic. And it's not enough. We're thinking about how to leverage funds from other legislation, from philanthropy, and from anywhere else we can get it, to funnel it through regional digital inclusion coalitions. We are focusing on empowering communities and supporting them rather than handing out a bunch of computers and contracting with vendors. Will it work? I hope so. In the meantime, I'm busting with gratitude for all of the community organizations and libraries, and my people at the Colorado Broadband Office, our working group, and so many others for their engagement. I am so lucky to work with Ashley Heathfield, Katherine Keegan, Jessie Hawthorn, as we figure out how to give everyone in Colorado the opportunities they deserve. If you're in Colorado, spread the word that our team needs to know who is doing digital inclusion work -- or even who wants to do digital inclusion work. Pass along this link so that we can contact organizations when the request for applications goes out in late 2024-2025. Local governments and philanthropy and ISPs and health care providers and senior centers and veterans services and orgs who work with folx who have disabilities all need to start talking to one another. Our team will help connect the dots. https://lnkd.in/gPPxeq8u And then we'll figure it out together.

Recommitting to Digital Inclusion in Philadelphia and Beyond: The power of community-centered solutions to create a more digitally inclusive world was on full display at the Net Inclusion 2024 conference in Philadelphia last month. Hosted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), this year’s event was the largest to date – bringing together more than 1,300 leaders who share our vision of helping more people gain access to the Internet, technology, and skills needed to thrive in a digital economy. “Now more than ever, public and private partnerships are critical to equitable access and use of technology,” said Angela Siefer, Executive Director, NDIA. Committed to Digital Innovation in Philadelphia As I reflect on the conference, I can think of no better city than our hometown to host a gathering of leaders, practitioners, and policymakers who are working to make our communities better for us all through digital equity. That’s why NDIA recognized Philadelphia as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer in 2023, an award given to municipal, county, and regional governments that are providing excellent models for digitally inclusive communities. What stood out to me during the conference was how Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker acutely captured the spirit of this work and what it can accomplish for communities. “I made a commitment last year to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation with access to economic opportunity for all,” she said. “You do that by closing the gap between the haves and the have-nots.” Investing in Our Communities through Project UP With 92 percent of jobs available today requiring digital skills, it’s clear that digital inclusion is essential for a stronger, more equitable tomorrow. That’s a future Comcast has long been committed to. For over a decade, we’ve been developing programs and partnerships to ensure the most marginalized groups are connected to the Internet – reaching millions of people nationally. And we’ve accelerated our commitment through Project UP, our $1 billion digital equity and economic mobility initiative that is opening doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. Spotlight on Community Partners and the Power of Aligned Action Everyone at Net Inclusion recognized that creating more economic opportunity is not something any one company or organization can do alone. In order to advance digital equity, we must invest in partnerships with organizations that are embedded in our communities. Our Project UP partners are able to deliver real impact because they have a unique set of superpowers: community expertise, relationships, and trust.

Digital Birmingham launched it's evaluation report of the Birmingham Digital Inclusion Strategy on 23rd Feb and our Community Lead Pauline Roche, Northfield Community Partnership was there to Chair a panel 'Insight Conversation on Digital Inclusion Strategy and Evaluation' with participants Raj Mack, Digital Birmingham, Olwen L., Nathan Kerrigan, Birmingham City University, Natasha Bright-Wray, Good Things Foundation and Jon Higham, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The panel conversation included references to public libraries in Birmingham which currently offer a range of digital inclusion support and plans for library staff to undergo digital champion training this year. Recent studies have proved what fantastic value libraries are – generating value of £3.4 billion pounds per year (Libraries Connected/Arts Council 2023) in terms of digital inclusion, children’s literacy and wellbeing https://lnkd.in/eiTURH-Y We discussed how we can increase the number of VCFSE organisations and their beneficiaries involved in shaping digital inclusion, and ensuring that everyone in Birmingham who needs a device and data has access to what they need. We talked about the need to ‘normalise’ the use of digital in everyday life as a necessity rather than a luxury while also ensuring that service providers continue to provide alternative/non-digital ways for people to access services for people who prefer to have a choice and we heard more about the conversation in the Council about digital literacy as part of core service delivery. Warm Welcome Spaces and Digital Drop Ins at existing community venues, including some libraries, are seen as places and support services where citizens can get the help they want to increase their opportunities for digital inclusion – we'd like to see this model work across the city. Lastly we hoped that by working together, we can create an atmosphere so that everyone in Birmingham who has some digital skills is, or wants to be, a digital champion, thus helping their friends and neighbours to get more out of being online. Full report here https://lnkd.in/eqgCiQCi

Over the last 18 months our work in Digital Inclusion and Skills has been developing at pace from the moment we began building better environments for triage, assessment, recommendations and referral. I thought I'd do a recap of how things have progressed and what we have coming up: 🌴 March 2024: Salford City Council are our Lead Partner in the development of our Digital Inclusion Triage Tool. It has been incredible working with such a well integrated digital inclusion network and experienced team. 👊 We're super excited to be launching their 'Digital Help Finder' as part of Public Sector Innovation Week and seeing the city's promotional campaign hitting their gateway hubs, outdoor screens and bus-stops! Stay tuned! Salford's campaign is paving the road for our Associate Partners and the implementations of their own local digital inclusion programmes. East Riding of Yorkshire Council, in partnership with the Humber and Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, have been undertaking the pilot of their campaign 'Progress Online' and Worcestershire County Council's implemenation will follow later this year. 🚀 🌴December 2023: Essex County Council came on board 👊 at the end of last year and since then we've been designing a new local Digital Skills Platform building on the foundation of the Digital Inclusion Triage Tool. A lot of co-design work is taking place as we are integrate Skills for Life and Skills for Work assessments into our underlying algorithms and APIs. This work is set to expand the impact the tool offers, supporting the creation of stronger employment pathways into digital careers. This potential impact was picked up by BBC News, so if you missed it, check out the link in the comments. 🚀 🌴March 2023: It was just a year ago when the Local Government Association helped us to launch the tool's Beta Phase. Salford were selected as our Lead Partner to support its development, alongside Associate Partners East Riding, Worcestershire and Waltham Forest. 🎉 Together we've been working on identifying how triage and intelligent recommendations can support both the digitally excluded as well as front-line service staff tasked with helping and guiding them on their journey. 🌴November 2022: Our work in Digital Inclusion began through a partnership with the London Borough of Havering and the LGA's Pathfinders Programme. Our first demos of this project demonstrated the value that triage has in guiding people to positive outcomes, elevating their confidence and trust in pursuing local area solutions, and in accessing new opportunities such as devices, data and training. 🖥 It all started well before that though - #digitalinclusion is embedded into our #servicedesign and development framework Hoop'd. Every Hoop'd project is designed to support those with limited or restricted levels of digital experience and capability, giving us a huge advantage in the development of more accessible and effective services.

📢 This year’s theme for the European #SocialServices Awards is “Promoting #Inclusive Communities” 🏘️ 📌 Has your organisation made digital improvements that promote inclusion in communities, while ensuring everyone’s digital inclusion?? Then you could apply for the #Digital Transformation Award!🏆 Here are some examples of projects which could qualify: 🔹Design and delivery of affordable access to digital infrastructure for socially inclusive communities 🔹Programmes ensuring the accessibility of digital technologies for everyone regardless of income and ability 🔹Online community platforms to support people access social services or digital support for people using social services; 🔹Tools to secure the accessibility of people with disabilities 🔹Educational and training programmes on digital skills, the use of digital technology and literacy 🔹Tools promoting improvement of quality of life e.g. assisted home care technologies that support people to remain in their homes within their communities; 🔹Innovative technology aiding professionals and informal carers in their decision-making and daily tasks to improve the delivery of community-based care and social services; 🔹IT case management to help professionals to better manage the specific situation of people using social services in the community; 🔹Digital platforms that support the integration of social services in the community; 🔹New tools to enhance communication of professionals with people using social services and to aid the co-production and co-design of community social services with people using social services. 🎉 Showcase your organisation's achievements by applying to be part of the 2024 European #SocialServices Awards: https://buff.ly/3JTIMkl Find out more about the categories 👉 https://buff.ly/44yDdRQ

Mayor Mike Johnston Issues Proclamation in Support of National Digital Inclusion Week 2024 In a show of the City and County of Denver’s strong support for equitable digital access, Mayor Mike Johnston has issued an official proclamation recognizing National Digital Inclusion Week, October 7-11, 2024. The proclamation highlights the City of Denver’s commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring that all residents, regardless of race, income, or social identity, have access to the technology and skills needed to thrive in today’s digital world. The Mayor’s acknowledgment serves as a call to action for the community to work together toward digital equity for all. #DigitalInclusionWeek #CloseTheDigitalDivide #DigitalEquityForAll #ConnectDenver #InclusiveAccess #DigitalAccessMatters #OSEI #EquityInTech #DigitalEquity #BridgingTheDigitalDivide #TechForAll #InternetForAll #InclusiveTech #ConnectTheUnconnected #DigitalInclusion #TechEquity #BroadbandForAll #EquityInTech #CityandCountyofDenver #TheMayorsOfficeofSocialEquityandInnovation