The COVID-19 crisis underscored the importance of Digital Equity in the Twin Cities. With schools closed, employees working remotely and doctor appointments going digital, a reliable home Internet connection became, and still is, more important than ever. Not everyone has equal access to the Internet, and this is a major challenge in cities across the country. Comcast partnered with Star Tribune to bring you a four-part series on digital equity in our community, and what we’re doing to help connect families.
You can read all four articles separately below:
Understanding Minnesota’s Digital Equity Divide
For a decade, Comcast has been connecting community members that qualify to affordable Internet through Internet Essentials. Since then, we’ve connected more than 10 million low-income Americans.
Working to Close the Digital Equity Divide: Access vs. Adoption
Digital equity takes many forms, and the tools to address them are not one-size fits all.
Crossing Minnesota’s Educational Digital Divide
During the pandemic we introduced the Comcast Internet Essentials Partnership Program, designed to help accelerate Internet adoption. The program provides the opportunity for school districts and other organizations to fund and quickly connect large numbers of students and families to broadband access at home.
Nonprofits Find Creative Solutions to Bridge Digital Divide
Lift Zones provide free WiFi access in community centers where students and adults can get online. Lift Zones are designed to help those students who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to participate in distance learning at home. There are currently two active Lift Zones in the Greater Kansas City Area—both located at the Independence Boys & Girls Clubs.