Local initiatives:
City of Austin
Locality Website:
City of Austin-Community Technology Division
Locality contact:
Rondella Hawkins
Officer
Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs
[email protected]
Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon
Senior Program Manager
Financial Services Department
[email protected]
Digital Equity/Inclusion Coordinator:
Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs
Digital Equity/Inclusion Resources:
Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs): The Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) is a grant directed at improving the community’s ability to fully participate in the digital society. This program provides three award pathways for local Austin nonprofit groups to apply for funding.
Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA): The Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA) is a network of non-profits, educational institutions, and other stakeholders working to improve Austin’s ability to participate in digital society.
Austin Free-Net: The Office of Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs (TARA) partnered with Austin Free-Net to manage the City of Austin’s public access computer and technology labs and deliver digital literacy training services.
2018 Austin Digital Assessment: The 2018 Austin Digital Assessment studied Internet and technology use by surveying a core sample of 8,000 randomly selected addresses in Austin and an additional oversample of 3,000 households in geographic areas with lower median incomes throughout Austin.
Digital Equity/Inclusion Plan:
2016 Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan
City of Dallas
Locality Website:
Dallas Bridging the Digital Divide
Locality contact:
Estefania Ramirez
Digital Equality Coordinator
City Manager’s Office
[email protected]
Genesis Gavino
Chief of Staff and Resilience Officer
City Manager’s Office
[email protected]
Digital Equity/Inclusion Coordinator:
Digital Equity/Inclusion Resources:
City of Dallas Digital Equity Resources: The City of Dallas provides various digital equity resources such as the DallasDigital public Wi-Fi locations map, low-cost Internet plans for residents, telehealth options, an employer resource hub, and opportunities for continuing education.
Request a Hotspot or Laptop: Residents may check out and borrow hotspots from the Dallas Public Library up to 30 days at a time.
Digital Equity/Inclusion Plan:
2021 Broadband and Digital Equity Strategic Plan
City of San Antonio
Locality Website:
San Antonio Digital Inclusion Team
Locality contact:
Leigh Middleton
Digital Inclusion Coordinator
Office of Innovation
[email protected]
Rhiannon Pape
Digital Inclusion Coordinator
Office of Innovation
[email protected]
Digital Equity/Inclusion Coordinator:
City of San Antonio Office of Innovation
Digital Equity/Inclusion Resources:
San Antonio Digital Inclusion Survey and Assessment: The San Antonio Digital Inclusion Survey and Assessment is a county-wide survey that was conducted in 2020 by the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, University of Texas at San Antonio, SmartSA partners, and key digital inclusion subject matter experts, to provide insights into the digital divide.
San Antonio Digital Connects Resources: The San Antonio Digital Connects Resource Guide highlights organizations that offer digital inclusion support which cover a range of programs such as device refurbishing, digital skills training, and Internet access.
Digital Equity/Inclusion Plan:
2021 San Antonio and Bexar County Digital Inclusion Roadmap
Harris County
Locality Website:
Harris County Office of Broadband
Locality contact:
John Speirs
Program Manager
Office of Broadband
Digital Equity/Inclusion Coordinator:
Harris County Bridging the Digital Divide
Digital Equity/Inclusion Resources:
Harris County Digital Literacy and Equity Resources: The Office of Broadband lists digital literacy, equity, and financial resources to bridge the digital divide in Harris County.