DEPARTMENT: Information & Technology Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Hugh Miller, Chief Technology Officer
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Digital Inclusion Initiative Program
SUMMARY:
The Digital Inclusion Initiative Program was requested by Mayor Taylor in the FY 2016 budget amendments. With the adoption of the FY 2016 Budget, $100,000 was allocated to establish the Digital Inclusion Initiative Program (Di2). This briefing will generally cover the digital divide within our community and the proposed program to assist in addressing this issue.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Internet is currently considered the most critical utility for advancing in education and business in the United States. Yet large portions of our communities don't have adequate affordable Internet services available to them. These Digitally Challenged communities leave a significant portion of our population without the basic needs to succeed and compete for digitally skilled jobs and receive a competitive education.
The digital divide In San Antonio has been impacted by broadband rates that have led to Internet access disparities being directly correlated with socio-economic brackets in both urbanized and more rural areas of the city. Low-income residents are more likely to be hampered by lack of basic literacy, including text literacy, numeracy and financial literacy, and digital literacy. Estimates of illiteracy among San Antonio's adult population range from 11% to 25%, meaning that up to one in every four San Antonians is functionally illiterate. A coordinated initiative with multiple outreach efforts is necessary to address such a significant gap. HUD's ConnectHome program, for example, will help San Antonio access national partnerships to assist in acquiring devices for SAHA residents, but it is not anticipated that these programs will be available to other low-income residents. Overall, there remains a pressing need to take action to...
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