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Digital Navigator
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What is a Digital Navigator? A Digital Navigator provides individualized or small group assistance to community members who need affordable home internet service, affordable internet-capable devices, and/or to learn introductory digital skills in order to become effective home internet users. Digital Navigator are connectors and coaches, and typically already work in roles involving case management or other client facing services. This assistance is often provided by voice telephone but may also include safe in-person visits, email, text, video chat, and other communication methods that work for the learner.
- Digital Navigators discuss with each client their home internet access or need for home internet access, technology experiences and their devices.
- They assess their clients with access to technology, current digital skill level pertaining to what they need to accomplish the plan, connectivity needs, and internet use priorities.
- They advise clients about free or affordable home internet service options for which they may qualify, assist clients to apply for services they choose, and support their efforts to secure service.
- They advise clients about sources of affordable computers or other internet connected devices for which they may qualify, and support their efforts to acquire appropriate devices and where they can get help for repair.
Connecting “Hill” Communities in Randolph County, West Virginia
Feb 24, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, News, Spotlight City
Feb 24, 2021 | Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, News, Spotlight City
From the Article>>>>>>Last year, Rural LISC, the Local Initiatives Support Coalition, came to us and said “we have this program called the digital navigator program. We think it would be a good fit for you.”
It was something that our organization had never thought about taking on, but in discussing with rural LISC, we learned what this program is about. It’s about trying to help people learn computer basics and helping them find ways to procure computers and Internet subscriptions at low costs.
In this region, we have a lot of very low-income and low income families in the areas that we serve. Primarily Highland Community Builders, the other organization I am involved with, is really focused on very low income families. And so we really took this on and we were, I think, a little bit shocked at how much the service was needed. At least I was, and I live in a town called Elkins, the biggest town in Randolph County...........
It was something that our organization had never thought about taking on, but in discussing with rural LISC, we learned what this program is about. It’s about trying to help people learn computer basics and helping them find ways to procure computers and Internet subscriptions at low costs.
In this region, we have a lot of very low-income and low income families in the areas that we serve. Primarily Highland Community Builders, the other organization I am involved with, is really focused on very low income families. And so we really took this on and we were, I think, a little bit shocked at how much the service was needed. At least I was, and I live in a town called Elkins, the biggest town in Randolph County...........
Digital Inclusion Increasing Digital Access and Equity in Rural Communities
What is Digital Inclusion? Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Digital inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use technology.
Rural LISC believes that digital inclusion in a resilient rural community must include:
1) Adequate broadband internet connections.
2) Internet-enabled devices and equipment that meet the needs of the user.
3) Access to digital literacy training and technical support.
Why is it important? Access to these three facets of digital inclusion is critical to fostering resilient rural communities. Historically, focus on “digital” has been on infrastructure and how to get digital cable laid in the ground in more communities.
However, putting the infrastructure in place alone doesn’t solve the problem if there is no last-mile-service (internet to the home); if the service is cost prohibitive; if individuals don’t have devices; and if individuals don’t know how to connect their device or use their digital tools.
All individuals and communities deserve the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy. As our world is becoming increasingly digitized it is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. Without digital access, individuals, families, and communities are all being left behind.
What is Digital Inclusion? Digital Inclusion refers to the activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Digital inclusion requires intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and use technology.
Rural LISC believes that digital inclusion in a resilient rural community must include:
1) Adequate broadband internet connections.
2) Internet-enabled devices and equipment that meet the needs of the user.
3) Access to digital literacy training and technical support.
Why is it important? Access to these three facets of digital inclusion is critical to fostering resilient rural communities. Historically, focus on “digital” has been on infrastructure and how to get digital cable laid in the ground in more communities.
However, putting the infrastructure in place alone doesn’t solve the problem if there is no last-mile-service (internet to the home); if the service is cost prohibitive; if individuals don’t have devices; and if individuals don’t know how to connect their device or use their digital tools.
All individuals and communities deserve the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy. As our world is becoming increasingly digitized it is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. Without digital access, individuals, families, and communities are all being left behind.
| An Approach from Rural LISC and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) |
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