Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the world is creating the largest telecommunity of all time. Social and physical distancing is becoming the new normal requiring unpresented demand for digital access, including affordable Internet access and other digital inclusion and digital equity resources and services for all Arizona citizens, including students, parents, teachers, seniors, library patrons and the general public, especially those citizens in tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona.
In response to the dramatic increase in demand for digital access due to COVID-19, AZBSN, led by the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council (ATIC) and the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership (GAZEL) organization, established the COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force.
When the Task Force was created, the initial focus was on Internet access, but it soon became clear that we needed to address Digital Access, not just Internet access. The pandemic has illuminated the long-standing deficiencies in affordable broadband Internet access in Arizona. But digital access is more than affordable Internet access. While we need to get everyone connected, many Arizona citizens don’t have access to other digital access requirements including affordable devices such as computers, smartphones and home hotspots; skills and technical support to enable them to use the devices, the Internet and applications effectively; digital literacy and web literacy skills; and access to digital content, applications and other resources. Digital Access Strategy Report 2020
In November 2020 the Task Force published a comprehensive Digital Access report presenting a statewide Digital Access Strategy including tactical and strategic recommendations and initiatives for action. The report addresses the digital access needs of all Arizona citizens, including students, parents, teachers, seniors, library patrons and the general public, especially those citizens in tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona. |
What Is Digital Access
Digital access is more than just access to fast affordable and reliable Broadband Internet access.
While we need to get everyone connected, we need to ensure that all many Arizona citizens have access to other digital access requirements including affordable devices such as computers, smartphones and home hotspots; skills and technical support to enable them to use the devices, the Internet and applications effectively; digital literacy and web literacy skills; and access to digital content, applications and other resources. |
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ContactSteve Peters, Coordinator,
AZBSN and COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force aticarizona@gmail.com Phone and Text: 520-321-1309 |
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