NATIONAL RESEARCH AND POLICY WORK

The Economic Impact of Digital Exclusion
Together with Econsult Corporation, DIG produced an assessment of the economic impact of digital exclusion in the US. The report quantifies costs associated with the significant proportion of the population that lacks high-speed internet access at home, and estimates an annual cost to individuals, government and the nation of $55B. The report was submitted to the Federal Communications Commission as part of the record for the National Broadband Plan, which the agency submitted to Congress on March 16.

You can download the study here.

Framework for Understanding and Evaluating the Broadband Adoption Process
Developed for the FCC as part of the National Broadband Plan proceeding, this framework outlines the multi-stage process by which new adopters integrate sophisticated broadband use into their day-to-day lives. It also identifies outcomes and indicators at each stage, along with recommendations for how these can be assessed.

Click here to view the framework.

Comments in Response to FCC Public Notice on Broadband Adoption
DIG submitted comments in response to the Federal Communications Commission's Public Notice on Broadband Adoption and Usage. DIG's comments draw on the organization's multi-year track record of providing broadband adoption services to low-income populations as well as findings from an independent program evaluation, and address many areas of this vital component of the National Broadband Plan. These comments are specifically cited in the Plan's Adoption and Utilization section.

Click here to view our comments.

Feasibility Study: Potential Replication of PerScholas' A+ Program in Philadelphia
Details coming soon.

PILOT PROJECTS

In the fall of 2008, DIG launched a series of pilot projects, implementing several refinements to our service model. Participants in all programs earned TechPacks, including new laptops, home broadband service, tailored computer and internet training, targeted entry-level online content, and ongoing digital coaching.

American Cities Foundation's Project RISE
The American Cities Foundation's Project RISE - Reaching and Impacting Small Entrepreneurs - provides a range of business development services to new or existing micro-enterprises in West Philadelphia. To support this effort, DIG and Project RISE partnered to provide TechPacks to RISE participants on the verge of completing the program. The American Cities Foundation funded this project.

Philadelphia Academies, Inc.
Through its innovative Career Academy model, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. provides high-achieving, low-income Philadelphia public high school students with employment- and higher-education-focused training. In partnership with PAI, DIG provided TechPacks to a group of students who achieved grade-level and attendance benchmarks. The students are all interested in careers in technology-related fields. Funding was provided by the Motorola Foundation.

Maternal, Child and Family Health
The Philadelphia Department of Health's Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health offers support to new and expecting low-income mothers to ensure the health of women and their children. Program participants also receive job search training and educational services. In order to earn TechPacks, participants met attendance benchmarks for pre-natal and postpartum check-ups. The First Hospital Foundation and the Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health provided funding for the project.

Vision for EQuality
Vision for EQuality enables families with a developmentally disabled family member to gather information about services and advocate for their loved ones. Participants were selected to receive TechPacks through an application process, and the project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Special thanks to Representative Dennis O'Brien for making this project possible.

RELEVANT CONTENT

DIG worked with PhillyHealthInfo.org, a free health information resource of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, to create entry-level online content that is tailored to specific population segments. DIG's program participants and others can gain health, employment and other information via literacy-level appropriate microsites.

Click here to view examples.