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Provo receives third annual honor for digital inclusion

By Genelle Pugmire - | Aug 23, 2022

Evan Cobb, Daily Herald file photo

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi provides instructions on the use of YouTube to attendees of the Digital Inclusion Week event at the Provo Recreation Center on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Provo.

For three years in a row, Provo has been recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as a Trailblazer city.

Since the award’s inception in 2016, cities have sought digital recognition not only because it signals dedication to meeting an underserved community need, but also due to the necessity for digital access and literacy in modern society.

“Imagine a life without online access? Most people are too addicted to their digital devices to ever be without them. But what if technology wasn’t an option–whether due to accessibility or affordability?” said Josh Ihrig, Provo City’s information systems division director. “A device with an internet connection has become a necessary utility akin to water, power and sanitation. Without it, a household is unable to equitably compete today.”

NDIA’s ‘Trailblazers’ are judged based on six criteria showing a city or county’s digital inclusion leadership. These include having full-time local government staff, a digital inclusion plan, an open-access coalition, survey research, funded digital inclusion programming and efforts to increase affordability of home broadband service.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition honoring our decades of dedication to create and maintain a connected city with the right tools needed for a modern, economically vibrant community,” said Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. “We continue to support our community’s digital inclusion effort to improve resident access to an internet capable computing device, a robust broadband internet service, along with the knowledge and support to use them.”

The Provo City Digital Inclusion program is a community effort, with one of its many partners being the United Way. Bill Hulterstrom, president and CEO of United Way of Utah County, described the need for digital access as “an essential building block in creating stronger communities.”

Digital inclusion grew in relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic when many workers and students had to work and study from home. Many of those workers and students did not have those proper tools.

“Solving this issue means first understanding it — and it comes with its own vocabulary,” Ihrig said. “It’s important to understand three concepts — digital divide is the issue, digital equity is the goal and digital inclusion is the work.”

According to the NDIA website, the digital divide is described as the gap between those who have affordable access, skills and support to effectively engage online and those who do not. Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy and the economy.

“We will continue to work towards digital equity in our community knowing of its importance in removing barriers to gainful employment, positive social engagement, knowledge growth and overall positive public outcomes. We look forward to even greater results as we continue to support and roll out community-based programs to combat the digital divide in our neighborhoods and our city with aspirational hopes to positively impact our state, our country and our world,” Ihrig said.

In 2020, Kaufusi made it a point to show the importance of digital inclusion by inviting seniors to the Provo Rec Center to learn how to use computers, cell phones and other devices.

“This is truly an effort that strengthens our community’s public and social engagement while improving skills and removing roadblocks for those most in need to compete for today’s employment opportunities,” Kaufusi said.

In March of 2020, the beginning of the pandemic, the United Way of Utah County’s Digital Inclusion Program distributed 45 computers to community members, many of whom were enrolled in the English Language Acquisition classes with Provo Adult Education.

These new devices helped families who are working, studying and socializing digitally. The computers were donated by way of the adopt-a-computer program.

“Without adequate support, families, seniors and others can become isolated within the community as well as isolated from opportunities that would create greater financial independence. We look forward to working with Provo City to provide support and opportunities to our hard-working neighbors,” Hulterstrom said.

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