Digital Inclusion Policy Priories

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance prioritizes equity. This means our digital inclusion work prioritizes people who have been left behind in the digital age. NDIA’s policy priorities focus on expanding access to affordable broadband service, appropriate devices, and digital skills training and support. NDIA bridges the community of digital inclusion practitioners and policymakers with a unified voice advocating for broadband access, devices, digital skills training, and tech support. Working collaboratively, NDIA identifies, crafts, and disseminates resources and tools to help community-based digital inclusion programs increase their impact and serve those most impacted by the digital divide. While universal, the digital divide disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities and individuals, including people of color, older adults, and people experiencing poverty. NDIA’s more than 600 affiliates serve these populations in 44 states. Their work informs the following policy priorities and, if implemented, would make significant progress in advancing digital equity. The policy priorities define recommendations in six key areas:

1. Make Broadband Affordable for Everyone in the United States
2. Fund and Support Community-Based Digital Inclusion Programs 
3. Fund and Invest in Progressive Digital Skills Pathways for Everyone in the United States
4. Increase Access to Devices for Everyone in the United States
5. The FCC Should Collect and Disseminate More Granular Broadband Adoption Data and Affordability Data Twice Annually
6. Ensure Equitable Deployment of Broadband Services