Digital Equity & Access
I would like to investigate the scarcity of digital resources in rural places as a social work concern. My hometown is a small town in Mississippi, and reliable cell phone and internet access remains an issue there.
An organization that I found that is working on increasing internet and cellular access in rural areas is the US Department of Agriculture. Their site is https://www.usda.gov/broadband.
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Accessibility of broadband internet is a huge issue in rural Indiana.Communities lacking inexpensive and sufficient internet connectivity are becoming increasingly frustrated as digital applications become more and more integrated into our daily lives. People who are not on the receiving end of the digital divide find it difficult to apply for employment, learn new skills, connect with friends and family, finish homework at home, and buy and save money online. "Access to inadequate broadband ultimately results in a lower quality of life for any community." (Gallardo, 2020)
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The state of Indiana is currently acting to resolve this matter. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) initiated a broadband planning initiative, Governor Holcomb announced $100 million in Next Level Broadband grant monies, and Scott Rudd was appointed as the first state broadband director. Other ways that can assist in increasing access of reliable internet in rural Indiana can include a task force that is solely responsible for researching other states that have increased the accessibility of stable internet, & asking those states for guidance.
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References:
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Gallardo, R. (2020, January 31). Internet connectivity in rural Indiana: A quality of service problem. IBRC. Retrieved February 4, 2024, from https://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/ibr/2020/spring/article2.html
My Plea to Representative Andre Carson
Amaka Mclaughlin
1846 Holloway Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46218
February 3, 2024
Dear Representative Andre Carson,
Broadband internet is not a luxury, but a necessity in the 21st century. It enables access to education, health care, business, entertainment, and social services that are essential for the well-being and prosperity of our communities. However, many rural areas in Indiana lack adequate and affordable broadband options, leaving them behind in the digital economy and society. I am writing to you as a concerned citizen and a resident of Indiana. I am urging you to support the expansion of broadband internet access in rural Indiana, especially in areas that are currently unserved or underserved by existing providers. The lack of stable and affordable internet services in rural Indiana continues to leave these rural areas lagging behind financially, educationally and medically. It is concerning to me that the areas that do have access to stable internet, are dealing with increased cost of rent, utilities, groceries and other expenses needed to survive. Though there are low cost internet services available in Indiana, these “affordable” options usually are not high speed or reliable enough to allow the resident to work from home or study from home. In order to assist in increasing the affordable stable internet to rural residents in Indiana, I propose a committee dedicated to research and find companies that will assist with building stable connections across rural Indiana.
Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, there was a lack of telephone services and there is still a lack of affordable high speed internet in my hometown of Shubuta, MS. This has had a huge negative effect on Shubuta. There is a lack of jobs, the children are behind academically and the population is dying out, because once children graduate from high school, they opt to leave the area for more metropolitan areas.
Improving access to rural residents of Indiana can increase access to social services, business, health care, entertainment, and education—all vital for rural towns' prosperity and well-being. Access to a stable internet can also increase employment opportunities for rural residents, in turn improving the economy in those rural areas.
I implore you to help to improve the access for affordable stable high speed internet for rural residents of Indiana. Improving this plight can help to improve rural areas and Indiana as a whole. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your plan.
Thank you,
Amaka Mclaughlin