Digital Equity in Iowa

January 11, 2024 Session Digital Equity in Iowa Presenter: Jeff Berckes, Digital Equity Coordinator for Iowa’s Department of Management (DOM) According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the digital divide is the gap between those who have affordable access, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not. As technology constantly evolves, the digital divide prevents equal participation and opportunity in all parts of life, disproportionately affecting people of color, Indigenous peoples, households with low incomes, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, and older adults. Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. Jeff Berckes has led the charge in Iowa over the last year by conducting extensive outreach, data collection, and collaborative planning involving thousands of Iowans to develop Iowa's draft Digital Equity Plan (the Plan). It has just been posted for a month of public comment. Join us on January 11th to learn more about this work and how you can be part of the solution for bridging the digital divide in Iowa. Slides for this session can be found at https://docs.google.com/presentation/... Please complete this short evaluation for feedback on this session and recommendations for future sessions: https://forms.gle/vjuywe5Rj5idSJ5FA