The Digital Equity Act One Year Later

The loss of the Digital Equity Act impacted each of us differently. Some National Digital Inclusion Alliance affiliates had to scrap projects, others had to make hard staffing decisions and lay off staff, and some organizations have shuttered their doors. And yet, time and time again, our brilliant, amazing community of NDIA affiliates has demonstrated resilience and tenacity that humbles the NDIA team. Despite the challenges, our affiliates keep doing the essential work of ensuring their neighbors can get and stay connected, reminding us that digital inclusion work has never been fueled by one policy or program, but by every person who works toward digital equity in their communities. The team NDIA mascot is a unicorn. But NDIA’s affiliates are real unicorns. The work NDIA affiliates do is irreplaceable, brilliant, and one of a kind, so we all need to keep fighting for DEA while also planning for the future. While we are dreaming about what is possible for the field the next few years, we also still have some fights to finish. From May 8 to June 8, you are invited to join us for a “DEA Month of Action”. Our goals for the month of action are threefold:

1. Raise awareness on the harms the cancellation of DEA caused, 
2. Ensure the President’s budget request to eliminate the Digital Equity Act funds from the FY2027 budget is not heeded by Congress, and
3. Remind policymakers, funders, partners and the media of the need for digital inclusion programs and in doing so celebrate your tenacity and resilience.