Regional taskforce releases Central Indiana Digital Equity Plan
INDIANAPOLIS – A taskforce of organizations on Monday released a Central Indiana Digital Equity Plan, with the goal of ensuring communities and Hoosiers across the region have access to digital technology resources, education and support.
In Central Indiana, nearly 10% of households don’t have internet access, according to figures from the Purdue Center for Regional Development. In the seven-county region, 3.2% of households with children have a computer but no internet. And 6.7% of senior households have a computer but no internet.
The Central Indiana Digital Equity Plan outlines four goals:
Ensure all residents have access to affordable internet by facilitating meetings between Internet Service Providers, communities and consumers.
Ensure underserved populations have equitable access to and ownership of devices.
Create digital literacy opportunities that meet people where they are.
Advocate for policies that support digital equity.
The plan is intended to guide digital equity in Central Indiana – Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties – for the next five years, including program development, taking inventory of resources and fundraising from local, state and federal sources.
“We believe that our community needs to be connected to each other and to the world around us,” said Jonathan Jones, United Way’s impact senior director and a member of the taskforce. “More than ever, staying connected is digital. We are incredibly excited to create a plan ensuring our neighbors have everything they need to stay connected, whether they are working from home, attending telehealth appointments, or just uploading assignments for school.”
As Indiana was developing its first statewide digital equity plan, United Way of Central Indiana began convening a taskforce in fall 2023 to develop a plan that addressed the unique needs of the region. This taskforce worked with the Purdue Center for Regional Development.
Members of the taskforce represent eight organizations in the region: CICOA, Easterseals Crossroads, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis Public Library, Invest Hamilton, Minority Moves Network, YouYesYou! and United Way of Central Indiana.
To implement the plan, the coalition is seeking more members to join its effort. Those interested are asked to email United Way’s Impact Senior Director Jonathan Jones and Project Specialist Gary Thompson: jonathan.jones@uwci.org; gary.thompson@uwci.org.
Read the Central Indiana Digital Equity Plan and learn more: