By the end of May 2024, Smart Columbus seeks to formalize partnerships with community-based organizations who can commit to offering digital skills training to the residents they serve from 2024 to 2026. We are seeking community organizations who are interested in hosting and delivering digital skills training sessions at their locations, and community organizations interested in hosting a training delivered by a visiting community digital skills trainer.
This framework utilizes a competency-based approach that reflects how people learn, work, and collaborate outside of school and is based upon evidence assessments prioritizing flexibility in time, space, and transferability of skills learned to other contexts.
Learnings and Insights from the Digital Skills Hub Pilot.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is expected to end in April 2024. Without Congressional action to extend it, approximately 179,000 households in Central Ohio will feel the impact. Being caught off guard only adds to the challenge of this transition. Help raise awareness by sharing this news and urge those affected to contact their Internet Service Providers for details on how it will affect their internet bills.
A comprehensive look at digital equity conditions in the spring of 2021, MORPC’s Technology & Broadband Access report contains thorough descriptions of the many salient issues addressed in the Agenda.
Thanks to The Columbus Foundation’s support, AECOM assessed and reported on the Region’s broadband asset and opportunities. Published in June 2020, the Broadband Access in City of Columbus, Ohio report includes a guide for the short-, medium-, and long-term possibilities for increasingbroadband adoption.
The Universal Services Administration Company’s (USAC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) tracker provides information about the number of claims made for participation in that program. Up-to-date summary information about enrollments can be found
Data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been used primarily to determine Internet connectivity availability. The presence of digital redlining can be seen using FCC Geographic Information System maps, however the maps do not provide
The foundational source of data used in this Agenda is from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 2020 5-Year Estimate Tables.
Digital Equity Coalition Action Agenda Executive Summary
Published in fall 2022, the DEC Action Agenda outlines the ways in which our region can achieve digital equity.
Information on how to apply for discounted internet service.
Report about the impact of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on children in households without broadband access.
Pilot program testing ways to make in-home internet access affordable and reliable. Participants may be eligible for free internet in 2021/2022.
Report about the impact of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on children in households without broadband access.
Information about discounted internet service from participating internet service providers for those who are eligible.
Information about discounted internet service from participating internet service providers for those who are eligible.
Statement from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance about the current state of digital equity in Columbus, Ohio.
A nonprofit advocacy organization striving to close the digital divide by promoting high-quality broadband for communities.
The DeWine-Husted Administration strategy focused on improving broadband access to the unserved and underserved communities in Ohio.