By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
The Urban Institute unveiled its new evidence-based “Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion” on Feb. 19 as part of a larger event in Washington D.C. that examined solutions for closing the digital divide.
Credit: Unsplash / Marvin Meyer
The event, “Expanding Digital Opportunity: Charting a Path toward Full Inclusion,” assembled researchers, advocates, practitioners and industry leaders to discuss how digital inclusion and opportunity can transform economic and workforce sectors, the health care sector and rural communities.
“Full digital inclusion is more than just the digital infrastructure that you could conceivably connect to,” said Sarah Rosen Wartell, president of the Urban Institute. “It’s also the connections and the devices, and it requires developing skills and ensuring that safety protections are in place so that people can use these connections meaningfully and effectively to gain benefits.”
According to the D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), nearly 20 percent of Washingtonians lack internet access at home. However, the digital divide includes more than just internet connectivity. It comprises access to devices and digital skills, according to Wartell.
She noted that some populations are more likely to be burdened by the consequences of the digital divide.
“We know that people with lower incomes, older adults, people who live in more remote and rural areas, populations of color, tribal communities, people with disabilities and justice-impacted populations lack different aspects of full inclusion,” said Wartell. “Reducing the digital divide by expanding digital opportunity and inclusion improves outcomes and quality of life—not just for those individuals I mentioned— it makes us as a society work better too.”
The Urban Institute’s “Framework for Digital Opportunity and Inclusion”
The Urban Institute’s new framework was created from current research on the digital divide and the impacts of expanding digital opportunity and inclusion. It centers on five pillars: developing infrastructure, getting people connected, learning digital skills, navigating safely and using technology effectively.
“Digital opportunity means that everyone can access the life-changing benefits that digital inclusion unlocks. It extends the goal of closing the digital divide beyond increasing the number of connected households or devices to ensuring people can effectively use technology to improve their lives,” said Corianne Payton Scally, an author of the framework. “When everyone has digital connections, affordable and appropriate devices and the skills to navigate the digital world safely and effectively, there are opportunities to improve employment, education, housing and health, and they can participate more fully in the economy, democracy and society.”
Six recommendations came out of the Urban Institute’s framework. They included:
- Using place-based subsidies to close gaps in digital infrastructure and broaden in-home broadband connections
- Advancing individual connectivity by offering subscription subsidies, low-cost or free devices and free public Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots for people who face housing insecurity or struggle to connect in their homes
- Safeguarding privacy in the digital world and boosting civil rights protections and implementation online
- Delivering clear digital training and navigation and arming those who train people in digital skills with the proper equipment and resources
- Streamlining digital platforms, devices and resources to ensure they are easy to use, relevant and accessible to all people
- Distributing quality devices and IT support for device troubleshooting and maintenance
Digital opportunity’s role in advancing economic mobility
According to the National Skills Coalition, 92 percent of jobs today require digital skills. As existing technology continues to evolve and emerge, there are also new careers and increasing demands for skilled workers.
In 2021, the federal government created the Broadband Equity and Access Deployment (BEAD) program, marking the largest federal investment in broadband to date. But, as panelists at the Urban Institute’s event pointed out, states and localities must have the requisite workforce to achieve the goals of the program.
“We quickly realized that if there wasn’t a plan to figure out the workforce, in the best case, our broadband infrastructure could be delayed,” said Molly Dillon, director of policy advocacy for America Achieves. “In the worst case, our broadband infrastructure may never actually materialize.”
Her organization, which supports states in connecting talent with in-demand careers, devised several strategies for meeting workforce needs. They include: appointing a broadband workforce director and staff in governors’ offices, convening employers in relevant industries, collecting and analyzing broadband workforce data, identifying additional workforce funding sources, collaborating with employers to build out the training workers need and recruiting a skilled, diverse workforce.
The panel also touched on opportunities to connect incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals with skills for broadband and other technology careers.
“There are about two million Americans, on average, incarcerated in prisons, jails and community juvenile detention centers. Ninety-five percent of them will come out one day, be our neighbors and hopefully participate in our workforce,” said April Feng, CEO of Ameelio. “This is a huge opportunity, considering how much talent you can add to the workforce.”
Her nonprofit focuses on providing free communication technology to incarcerated communities and their families. Feng explained that before incarcerated individuals can be trained to meet workforce demands, they must first have access to quality technology and education in correctional facilities.
“The resources needed for formerly incarcerated individuals could be a little bit different than your normal hire. But, from our own experience, hiring folks who are released is very rewarding. They tend to be incredibly loyal and learn really fast,” said Feng. “If there are challenges that you see and experience, share that with state governments so they can understand what additional skills are needed while folks are still inside and start those programs.”
Leveraging digital inclusion to improve health outcomes
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a slew of digital gaps in society, including in health care delivery. Though telehealth and telemedicine surged during the global health crisis, some were unable to use it.
According to Frederic Blavin, senior fellow at the Urban Institute’s health policy division, telehealth visits were more common among adults with higher incomes, those with insurance coverage and those with physical or mental health conditions. However, adults with health conditions were more likely to report that they could not access a telehealth visit when they wanted one.
“Given that some of these disparities are still observed in telehealth use, this is a unique time to ensure that everyone has fair access to the benefits and opportunities from these advancements in the digital health space,” said Blavin.
Since COVID-19, Sarah Swank, general counsel for On Belay Health Solutions, said Medicare and Medicaid has significantly expanded coverage for telehealth services.
“All of a sudden, there was reimbursement for telehealth services at the federal level,” said Swank. “A primary care visit would be the same whether it was in person or not because you couldn’t actually necessarily get into an office.”
One population that may not be able to enjoy the benefits of telehealth today are people with disabilities. Karen Tamley, president and CEO of Access Living, serves people with all types of disabilities. She said most are living under extreme poverty, earning about $800 a month.
“The issue of poverty is the fundamental through line for the work that we do because people don’t have devices or access to the internet. Even affordable internet services at $16 a month is too much for many people,” said Tamley. “Then, on top of that, you have issues around digital literacy, feeling comfortable using a digital device or the internet to get crucial services and accessibility.”
Tamley explained that even if people with disabilities have access to the internet and devices, websites or applications may not be compliant with accessibility standards.
“The ability to be able to access health care via telemedicine is really good for so many people who have physical barriers to getting to the doctor,” said Tamley. “The challenge is access to digital platforms.”
She pointed to one bright spot in health care accessibility. In 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a rule to curb disability discrimination in institutions that receive federal funding. It includes ensuring that health care information in videos on websites or mobile apps must be captioned and that telehealth platforms are able to accommodate sign language interpreters on video calls.
It also requires that communication with people who experience speech, hearing or vision disabilities is as effective as communication with people who do not. This could include using assistive listening devices, text telephones, Braille and large print.
Tamley also noted that internet access in the disability community opens up opportunities in health care.
“We have people who are now able to refill their prescriptions online, make telehealth appointments and talk to their doctors,” said Tamley. “We have to think about this as a determinant of health and how access to digital can really change lives.”
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.
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