DELN Bulletin: February 13, 2025

DELN BULLETIN :

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

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UPDATES

March 20, 12:00 - 1:00pm PST  DELN Meeting: Cybersecurity is Equity Work

REGISTER NOW! Cybersecurity is a critical component of digital equity, yet many community organizations lack the resources and IT support needed to protect themselves. Join us on Thursday, March 20th from 12:00 - 1:00 PST for an insightful presentation featuring Library Technology Officer Charles Wesley who will discuss lessons learned from the Seattle Public Library’s cybersecurity attack and share practical, cost-effective strategies to improve your organization’s cybersecurity readiness, empower staff with best practices, and ensure equitable access to secure digital spaces.

HB 1517 Mobile Device Tax

1. If you want to sign in “pro” right now, you can do it here

2. Rep Gregerson would like us to organize a panel that features the testimony of several people.

Email Sabrina@makedigitalequity.com if you’re interested in doing 2 minutes of testimony, doing interviews about this bill, and/or making media about this bill.

Interconnection is now PCs for People Washington

"After 25 years, tens-of-thousands of free and low-cost computers distributed, and millions of pounds of e-waste diverted from landfills, InterConnection is now PCs for People Washignton. This next chapter means exciting new opportunities, increased support for digital access and equity efforts, and a continued focus on increasing access in Washington State."

Seattle’s Equity-Based Approach to Digital Inclusion

The City of Seattle’s Information Technology department (Seattle IT) supports digital equity programs and services as a coalition organization. The City began its digital equity work in the mid-1990s in response to...(read more)

Register for Net Inclusion

The Net Inclusion conference has been a staple in the digital inclusion community since 2016, bringing hundreds of practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers together to share their knowledge and discuss a variety of topics.

Due March 6: Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.

Due March 7: Net Inclusion Lightning Round Applications Are Open!

Lightning Rounds offer a dynamic platform for sharing innovative ideas and insights within the digital inclusion community at the Net Inclusion conference! Each speaker will have 3 minutes to engage the digital inclusion community about your organization, research, best practices and much more!

DE WEBINARS

February 24 from 3-4:40pm ET: How Your Organization Can

 Influence Policy for the Greater Good

NDIA is partnering with the Bolder Advocacy on our upcoming webinar: How Your Organization Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good. When our laws and policies work for us, our communities win. Nonprofits have a close-up view of community needs and can and should take advantage of their right to influence law and policy. After this workshop, you will have a clear understanding of what advocacy activities your organization can engage in, what communications count as lobbying, and how to maximize your non-lobbying advocacy.

March 13, 3:00-4:15pm EST “Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize”

“Charting the Course: Adapting to Policy Shifts While Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize” promises to bring hundreds of digital inclusion practitioners together for the increasingly popular virtual gathering that aims to offer insights and ground-truth on how communities continue to their work in closing the digital divide at a time when the programs established to do so have been tossed into disarray.

RESOURCES

How Much Internet Speed Do You Need?

It's important to make sure you’re getting the right internet plan and not paying for a higher tier of service than you need. It all depends on what your household does online, and whether they all do it at the same time. This calculator can help.

Internet Speeds Needed (In Multiple Languages)

Internet Speeds to Meet Your Needs Downloading is when the internet shares information with your computer. You’ll need higher download speeds when watching Netflix and online gaming, than if you only surf the web, use social media, and do online shopping. How to choose a plan that is right for your household.

The Digital Equity Researcher Inventory

If you didn't catch the live webinar in January, catch the replay here. This webinar introduces participants to NDIA’s Digital Equity Researcher Inventory and starts a conversation about how digital equity research and practice can better support each other. Panelists from our community will join in to talk about how they use research, what makes this field unique, and their priorities for closer researcher-practitioner relationships.

Community Tech Network

Community Tech Network (CTN) provides a range of services to close the digital divide, including capacity building for nonprofit and government partners and basic digital literacy training in over 10 languages to adults of all ages. They have the following free training resources: >Digital Navigator Overview >Teaching Internet Safety & Responsibility >CTN Webinar: digitalLIFT Lunch & Learn

Senior Planet: AI Guide for Older Adults

"Senior Planet has a terrific guidebook on AI for older adults explaining the basics of AI in plain language and providing concrete examples for how AI can be used in every day life. Their AI page has a fun little quiz to test your AI knowledge as well, which could be a great group activity in a workshop."

Staying Safe Online Checklist

Cybersecurity Checklist Handout: Download a one-page summary of key tips and trusted resources

ARTICLES & RESEARCH

State of Digital Inclusion in the States

NDIA announces the publication of ‘State of Digital Inclusion in the States’ – a snapshot of digital inclusion work at the state level. This resource showcases strategies states have adopted to make broadband affordable, get computers to people who need them, help spread the word about digital skills learning opportunities, and more. NDIA encourages you to share this resource with your state leaders, policymakers, and other advocates to inspire ideas and align efforts.

Digital competence frameworks for teachers, learners and citizens

This database provides a global reference point for information on how digital competencies are being defined for citizens, learners and educators through the use of competence frameworks.

The Human Infrastructure of Broadband:

Looking Back, Looking Around, Looking Ahead 

The human infrastructure of broadband refers to the people and organizations who provide direct support to individuals to access affordable internet and devices and teach people the digital skills necessary to make use of connectivity and fully participate in modern society.

NaLA Releases Findings from Annual Consumer Survey

Results from over 68,000 respondents, collected between November 1 and 20, 2024, highlight the critical need for the Lifeline and ACP programs to connect low-income households.

Hoopa Valley: Bringing the Digital World to the Heart of Tribal Land

What happens when a lifelong Hoopa Valley community member combines his passion for helping others with his tech know-how? The digital divides in his community begin to close. Meet Abraham “Abe” Camez, a digital navigator. For years, Abe has been a trusted figure in Hoopa, and now he’s connecting homes to the internet and empowering his neighbors with the skills they need to thrive online (read more)

Universal Connectivity Imperative (UCI) Report

The 2025 Universal Connectivity Imperative: Sustaining Progress to Close the Digital Access Divide in K–12 Education builds upon the groundbreaking research and insights of SETDA’s previous reports, most notably The Broadband Imperative III: Driving Connectivity, Access and Student Success, published in 2019. This fourth report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of internet access in K–12 education, examining the progress made since the last report and the emerging challenges that require urgent attention.