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<\/p>\n This week in \u201cWhat\u2019s New in Digital Equity\u201d \u2014 our weekly look at government digital equity and broadband news \u2014 we have a number of interesting items, which you can jump to with the links below:
GET ONLINE NYC CAMPAIGN
New York City\u2019s Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) has launched a new campaign, \u201cGet Online NYC,\u201d with the purpose of simplifying access to resources that can help New Yorkers use the Internet.<\/p>\n
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Screenshot of the Get Online NYC campaign website’s search tool for free computer labs.<\/p>\n
The campaign website<\/a> features a map to search nearby free computer labs, plus a tool for users to find other low-cost resources like technology classes, device lending and free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n City officials are building awareness about the campaign with promotional materials distributed at more than 450 locations across the city, and a free roundtable event in Brooklyn on Thursday.<\/p>\n The campaign comes about a year after the city published the NYC Digital Equity Roadmap in March 2025<\/a>. That plan included 11 key actions to improve digital inclusion, including hiring a chief digital equity officer<\/a> and convening a Digital Equity Working Group made of 43 city agencies.<\/p>\n This initiative builds on the city\u2019s digital inclusion ecosystem, which is made up of practitioners and other stakeholders. Organizations supporting this work by offering resources or services to the community include the New York Public Library and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and nonprofits including Per Scholas.<\/p>\n \u201cThis \u2026 reaffirms our commitment to working with city agencies, community-based partners, and the public to build a more connected New York City,\u201d Chief Technology Officer and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter<\/a> said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n DIGITAL INCLUSION BEST PRACTICES AMID ICE ENFORCEMENT Some recent federal actions<\/a> have driven people to shelter in place, potentially disconnecting them from jobs, education, health care and other critical services. The blog post summarizes how digital inclusion programs can respond by supporting people where they are.<\/p>\n First, practitioners can move services to an online or hybrid model, although this may take time. To facilitate a successful shift, NDIA recommends switching up outreach, preparing community partners and program funders for changes, offering a one-on-one intake and device setup support to reduce barriers to entry for an online program, prioritizing language access, and revisiting class content. Content may need to be adjusted to address questions \u201cspecific to this moment,\u201d the blog said, like how to better secure devices against tracking.<\/p>\n The next best practice is to adjust pacing and expectations for online instruction. This may include smaller or more flexible attendance options, the use of virtual tools to differentiate instruction, and considerations for participants who do not speak English as a first language.<\/p>\n Trust is another essential best practice. To build and rebuild trust among community members, practitioners can tap instructors with pre-existing local relationships, use tools or platforms popular with immigrant communities like WhatsApp, and proactively communicate what will be done with any data that is collected.<\/p>\n Finally, NDIA recommended making privacy central. This can be done by minimizing data collection, allowing \u2014 and even recommending \u2014 participants use pseudonyms if that makes them more comfortable participating, and being aware of how practitioners might unintentionally expose information when delivering resources or services.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n FEDERAL BROADBAND LEGISLATION The slate of bills includes the Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act, which would streamline permitting; the Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act, which would require affordability considerations for grant awards; the Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act, which would update the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s Community Connect Program speed requirements; and the Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act, which would broaden eligibility for this grant program.<\/p>\n Elsewhere in Washington, D.C., the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a hearing<\/a> last week about modernizing the 1996 Telecommunications Act; some policymakers have been pushing for action<\/a> on this front.<\/p>\n MARYLAND AGREEMENT FOR INTERNET ACCESS \u201cThrough this creative resource-sharing agreement, we are showing how the state can reduce investment costs for Internet service providers while saving taxpayer dollars,\u201d DoIT Secretary and CIO Katie Savage<\/a> said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Separately, the Fiber Broadband Association has released guidance<\/a> for states on how they can strengthen digital infrastructure through investment in fiber. It offers a framework in which fiber systems connect the \u201ccore Internet backbone\u201d to last-mile broadband providers.<\/p>\n FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty has dubbed<\/a> fiber deployment \u201ckey\u201d to universal connectivity.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) has released a blog<\/a> detailing best practices for digital inclusion programs during mass enforcement actions.<\/p>\n
In policy news, U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney introduced<\/a> multiple bipartisan bills last week to support rural Americans with broadband access and lower costs.<\/p>\n
In state news, a new agreement between the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative gives the government exclusive access to fiber-optic cable in the western part of the state. The pact is expected to create opportunities for public- and private-sector connections through last-mile investments.<\/p>\n