Equity isn’t just an ideal. It is an outcome. Different groups must work together to address multiple areas of need. It takes collaboration to address structural inequalities that prevent people from having their needs met. Our shared goal is to ensure that people have what they need to fully participate in society.
Technology touches every part of daily life. We use technology to learn, work, obtain social and healthcare services, and maintain contact with loved ones. In their Healthy People 2030 agenda, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services talks about “the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age.” These conditions are known as Social Determinants of Health because they play a part in long-term health outcomes. Because technology is an underpinning to these factors, it plays a major role in the quality of a person’s life. Our digital inclusion goals exist to make sure that everyone can access, afford, and use technology to achieve all the benefits that it can offer and achieve the best health outcomes possible.
Digital Navigators
Our digital navigator program will train nonprofit staff to help residents enter the digital age. These staff already support key needs like housing, education, childcare, food, and government benefits. They have built trust with the communities we serve.
As digital navigators, they can help residents find digital skills training, internet service, and devices. Without these things, many of our neighbors cannot apply for basic services, reach out to loved ones, or apply for jobs. A trained navigator can help guide them to the right resources.
This program will also engage hubNashville, our 311 resource, to direct requests to the right place.
To support this program, this office will conduct an asset mapping of digital inclusion resources in our city.
Community Asset Mapping
The world’s reliance on technology means that digital inclusion is inclusion. Digital exclusion does not occur in isolation, and our residents often have intersecting needs. So, any organization working to improve the lives of residents is part of the digital inclusion ecosystem. Our shared goal is to ensure that people have what they need to fully participate in society. We also want to make the best use of resources. To do this, we must have a clear picture of what is available.
The Metro Digital Inclusion Asset Mapping is an ongoing initiative that focuses on resources we have locally to help us develop solutions from within. This process began with a survey to collect information about how local organizations/Metro partners 1) serve the community, 2) interact with one another, and 3) play a role in digital inclusion.
If your organization provides support to the community in any form, we want to hear from you.
Affordable Connectivity
One of our goals is to help more residents sign up for the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP helps low-income households pay for internet service and devices.
Many of our low-income residents are eligible. But they don’t know it exists. It is our job to make them aware and help them access it. ACP offers:
- Discounts on internet service up to $30/month (or low-cost service fully funded)
- Up to a $75/month discount if living on Tribal lands
- A one-time discount for a laptop, tablet, or desktop (up to $100 with copayment)
Eligibility is based on income and household size. People who take part in federal programs are also eligible.
Learn more about Affordable Connectivity Program eligibility and how to enroll, or schedule an appointment to sign up for ACP at your neighborhood Nashville Public Library.
ACP eligibility is based on income and household size. Find out how to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
For more information or assistance with anything related to affordable connectivity, contact hubNashville:
- Call: 311
- Online: hub.Nashville.gov