York County Region Digital Inclusion Plan Goals & Strategies
The York County Region Digital Inclusion Plan aims to maximize connectivity, ensure access to devices, advance digital skills, and increase equitable capacity and infrastructure. The plan includes strategies such as maximizing utilization of subsidy programs, increasing availability of community spaces with free wifi, strengthening technology access within organizations, and improving broadband coverage in specific locations.
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York County Region Digital Inclusion Plan Goals & Strategies
Goals 1. Maximize Connectivity: People in the York County region can access and afford high-quality, reliable internet service; 1. Ensure Access to Devices: People in the York County region can access appropriate and affordable digital technology devices; 1. Advance Digital Skills: People in the York County region develop the digital skills necessary for full participation in work and life; 1. Increase Equitable Capacity and Infrastructure: The York County region grows and sustains the capacity and infrastructure required to achieve digital equity.
Goal 1: Maximize Connectivity - People in the York County region can access and afford high-quality, reliable internet connectivity STRATEGIES 1a. Maximize utilization of subsidy programs by covered populations. Actions: Adopt partnerships to enroll all eligible people in ACP and Internet service provider discount programs. 1b. Increase availability of trusted community spaces that provide free wifi and device access. Actions: Support access to current and expanded library hours and technology offerings. Install wifi hubs and device charging areas at community centers, town offices, and parks.
Goal 1: Maximize Connectivity - Continued STRATEGIES 1c. Strengthen technology access within organizations serving covered populations Actions: Support after school programs, community centers, and other neighborhood hubs to be equipped with robust high-speed Internet and relevant hardware and software. 1d. Increase access to mobile wifi hotspots and other wireless technologies for households in locations with poor coverage Actions: Support and expand initiatives that provide hotspots, smart speakers, and tablets to households in need (via libraries, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Age Friendly Saco, Sanford Age Friendly group, others) 1e. Improve broadband coverage in specific locations that are home to covered populations Actions: Identify and implement upgrades to public and affordable housing
Goal 2: Maximize Access to Devices - People in the York County region can access appropriate and affordable technology devices necessary for full participation in work and life STRATEGIES 2a. Ensure all households in covered populations have appropriate and affordable digital technology devices Actions: - Expand partnerships between libraries and community-based organizations with an explicit focus on reaching older adults, people with disabilities, people of color, new immigrants and refugees, and people hesitant to engage with systems - Create a pipeline for digital device refurbishment and distribution to covered populations (e.g., Maine GiveIT, GetIT) - Work with K-12 schools to identify opportunities to give digital devices to students for home use where applicable
Goal 3: Advance Digital Skills - People in the York County region develop the digital skills necessary for work and life STRATEGIES 3a. Increase access to existing digital skills training and resources Actions: - Promote availability of existing training support and resources through on demand video content, accessible print materials, and face-to-face outreach - Support partnerships between libraries and community organizations that assist with engaging hard-to-reach communities.
Goal 3: Advance Digital Skills - Continued STRATEGIES 3b. Develop and implement culturally-tailored digital skills training and resources Actions: - Support organizations that are already working with covered populations to provide digital skills training in collaboration with libraries. - Employ trusted community members to teach digital skills within their communities especially immigrants and refugees, communities of color, and low-income communities. - Work with higher education system and vocational schools to highlight and promote. low-cost coding and related computer science courses that improve access to STEM sector employment for Maine graduates and mid-career adults.
Goal 4: Increase Equitable Capacity and Infrastructure: The York County region grows and sustains the capacity and infrastructure required to increase digital equity. STRATEGIES 4a. Expand and promote low-cost Internet options Actions: - Help ISPs expand their networks to provide affordable access, particularly in underserved areas. - Work with ISPs and public agencies to develop and raise awareness of low-cost Internet options that meet the needs of target communities. 4b. Advance ADA accessibility and universal design for municipal online services Actions: - Support and encourage use of inclusive design and integrated translation on municipal and organizational websites (including application platforms). - Improve systems for virtual attendance at municipal decision-making bodies by members of the public.
