On Tuesday, Governor Lamont kicked off National Digital Inclusion Week (NDIW) at the Willimantic Public Library to emphasize his administration’s efforts to help families in Connecticut get online and leverage digital tools for learning, work, telehealth, accessing State services, and other applications. Most notably, the governor highlighted the federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), which provides a $50 credit to many residents’ monthly Internet bills with most carriers. Earlier that day the Governor's office issued a proclamation announcing National Digital Inclusion Week for the State of Connecticut.
Yesterday, the Hartford Public Library hosted a discussion with leaders from the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology as well as other agencies and organizations to mark National Digital Inclusion Week. The event highlighted efforts at the local and state level to ensure Connecticut residents have the digital access, tools, and skills they need to be successful. You can watch the panel discussion on Facebook here.
The Commission for Educational Technology congratulated and recognized four recipients of the Connecticut State Library’s Digital Navigation Pilot Projects. That program funds libraries to deploy “navigators,” multi-lingual specialists who can work one on one with residents who need computers, low-cost broadband at home, and the skills to participate fully in the digital world.
The good news is, there is always time for you to participate in digital inclusion, even as National Digital Inclusion Week draws to a close. It’s truly a year-round effort. Please, tell your friends and family who may qualify about EBB, and enroll yourself if you are eligible. Visit your local library, and check out their programs so you can volunteer, donate, or participate. The bottom line is, this week is a call to action to get involved.
We know our government and virtually every aspect of society are moving online, and we want to make sure no family gets left behind in the process. We can all be a part of that effort, and I am grateful for your help.
Thank you to the agencies and Commission members who helped make National Digital Inclusion Week a success in Connecticut: Colleen Bailie (West Haven Public Library), Burt Cohen (Office of Consumer Counsel), Ajit Gopalakrishnan (State Department of Education), and Deborah Schander (Connecticut State Library). The Commission is committed to digital equity for all and creating pathways to digital empowerment.