Cody Dorsey, Digital Equity Federal Program Officer
In 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) joined the nationwide celebration of Digital Inclusion Week, recognizing its critical role in fostering equitable Internet access and digital literacy. While Digital Inclusion Week remains a week-long event, NTIA expanded its observance into a month-long celebration in 2023, reflecting the pressing need to address digital disparities in depth. This extension underscores NTIA's commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, background, or circumstance, can fully participate in the digital world.
As we celebrate Digital Inclusion Week from October 7th to 13th, NTIA proudly shares the belief that advancing digital inclusion requires a whole-of-nation approach, emphasizing the strength we draw from working together. This year's theme, "Stronger Together: Mobilizing Toward Sustainability," highlights the importance of partnerships in creating lasting, meaningful impacts. When we unite - federal agencies, local organizations, private sector partners, and communities - we are stronger together, ensuring that digital inclusion initiatives reach the people and places that need them most.
Celebrating Nationwide Progress
NTIA has made significant strides in its mission to advance digital inclusion. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program and the Digital Equity Act Programs have laid the foundation for increased connectivity and the creation of pathways for digital literacy across underserved and unserved areas of the country. Through collaborations with state, tribal, and local partners, NTIA continues to make sustainable impacts that are helping to close the digital divide.
For the first time in our nation’s history, each state has a plan for connecting communities with the resources they need to advance digital equity. In February, NTIA announced that all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. had submitted their Digital Equity Plans for acceptance. Since then, all 52 of those plans have been accepted by NTIA, as well as plans submitted by the four additional U.S. territories. To date, NTIA awarded Michigan and Nevada their State Digital Equity Capacity Awards, allowing those states to begin implementing their Digital Equity Plans. More awards will be announced in the coming months.
Also, in July of this year, NTIA launched the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, announcing the availability of nearly $750 million to fund projects to ensure that critical populations have access to the devices and skills needed to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or economic status. This was the first funding opportunity from the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program. Aligning with the theme of Digital Inclusion Week, NTIA provided guidance for applicants to encourage sustainability and meaningful change, ensuring that the impact extends well beyond the initial grant period. The application portal closed on September 23, 2024, and NTIA received over 700 applications requesting more than $6.5 billion in funding.
Most recently, NTIA launched the State Digital Equity Capacity and Planning Grant Program: Native Entities application window on September 25, 2024. These investments are designed to empower Native Entities— including Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations—to address their communities' digital needs, support economic development, preserve traditional practices, and enhance inter- and intra-government coordination.
Digital inclusion is more than just providing Internet access, it's about creating digital skills, ensuring affordability, and removing the barriers that prevent people from participating in the digital economy. Digital literacy and connectivity are vital to economic prosperity, educational opportunities, healthcare access, and civic engagement. This is why we continue to invest in programs that uplift communities and ensure everyone has a seat at the table in the digital world.
Stronger Together, Toward a Sustainable Future
This year's theme embodies NTIA's belief that realizing universal digital inclusion will take the strength of our collective efforts. Digital inclusion efforts cannot succeed as temporary measures. Rather, communities need sustained commitments that create long-lasting impacts. Digital literacy and connectivity are vital to economic prosperity, educational opportunities, healthcare access, and civic engagement. With the development of NTIA’s programs and policies and coordination with other federal agencies and organizations, NTIA continues to support the goal of ensuring that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy.
Join us in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week 2024 and remember, we are stronger together as we work to create a more connected, inclusive, accessible and equitable digital world for all:
- Join the broader Digital Inclusion Week 2024 observance. Organizations and individuals across the country are hosting Digital Inclusion Week events, running social media campaigns, and sharing their digital inclusion work. Look for #DIW2024 across social channels to follow along and join the conversation.
- Find out about upcoming BroadbandUSA events, trainings, or webinars on BBUSA’s events page, including our Digital Equity State Digital Equity Capacity and Planning Grant Program: Native Entities Webinar Series.
- Check out BroadbandUSA and sign up for Internet For All email updates to learn more about NTIA’s Digital Equity efforts.