The California Department of Technology (CDT) has released a draft of its Digital Equity Plan, which would allocate millions of dollars to bridge the digital divide across the state by improving broadband access, affordability, and adoption.
The plan is currently open for public comments, presenting an invaluable chance for residents to contribute to shaping the state’s strategy for digital inclusion over the next five years.
Fast Facts
The California Digital Equity Plan is soliciting public comments until January 25, 2024. This is a great opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to provide insights, suggestions, and feedback on the proposed strategies outlined in the plan.
Comment Submission Tips
To make your feedback impactful, consider the following tips:
- Focus on Section 5: Highlight key activities and strategies outlined in Section 5, which include crucial aspects such as digital literacy classes for older adults, device distribution, and Internet subsidy support. Share your thoughts on these strategies and suggest improvements or additions based on your experiences.
- Be Specific: Focus your comments on specific parts of Section 5, unless your feedback is general. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes to support your points, making your comments more compelling.
- Express Support: If there are elements in the plan that resonate with you or align with your experiences, express your support. For instance, acknowledge California’s dedication to supporting an internet subsidy, as illustrated in the example comment provided.
- Share Lived Experiences: Use your comment as a platform to share lived experiences related to digital inclusion. Discuss challenges or successes you’ve witnessed in your community, emphasizing the importance of certain initiatives.
- Community Framing:Identify specific needs within your community and use your comments to advocate for addressing those needs. Your insights can significantly contribute to tailoring the plan to be more inclusive and reflective of diverse communities.
- Learn from Others: Take inspiration from other comments to get a sense of the shared sentiments. This can help you identify common concerns or ideas that need more emphasis.
Participating in the public comment period for California’s Digital Equity Plan is not just a civic duty but a chance to actively contribute to building a more digitally inclusive future. By sharing your insights, experiences, and perspectives, you play a vital role in shaping policies that will impact communities across the state. Let’s join together to make our voices heard and ensure that California’s Digital Equity Plan truly serves the needs and hopes of all its residents.
This post was written by Uhunoma Edamwen.
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