Through its Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) has engaged Digitunity to expand device ownership among North Carolinians impacted by the digital divide.
NORTH CONWAY, NH / ACCESSWIRE / December 10, 2024 / North Carolina has selected Digitunity, a national nonprofit organization, to support its efforts to address the digital divide. Through this multi-year engagement, facilitated by the Friday Institute at NC State University, Digitunity will support the implementation of North Carolina’s Digital Equity Plan with a particular focus on expanding computer ownership among low-income people, rural residents, veterans, older adults, and other underserved segments of the population.
“We are excited to work with Digitunity to implement the state’s five-year plan to bring computers and technical support to more North Carolinians so they can safely participate in our increasingly digital world,” said Annette Taylor, director of the NCDIT Office of Digital Equity and Literacy. “This partnership will help ensure residents across the state can work remotely, access online learning opportunities and benefit from telehealth services.”
Under this engagement, Digitunity will collaborate with NCDIT’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and local stakeholders to establish a device distribution network that addresses the diverse needs of people in communities across the state. Central to this effort is a “hub and spoke” distribution model, designed to streamline device allocation by connecting regional refurbishing centers, or “hubs,” with trusted, vetted, and trained community deployment sites or “spokes.” Nonprofit computer refurbishers Kramden Institute and E2D are integral contributors to North Carolina’s efforts to meet the device needs of residents impacted by the digital divide.
Additionally, Digitunity will provide strategic guidance and support to advance device-focused ecosystems across North Carolina. This includes advising on resource allocation, fostering partnerships and guidance on the refurbishing landscape, and supporting the development of programs and strategies to support covered populations’ device needs.
This partnership is closely aligned with North Carolina’s goal of achieving 95% large-screen device ownership among households by 2029, as outlined in the state’s Digital Equity Plan.
“Digitunity is honored to have been selected to support North Carolina’s commitment to digital equity,” Scot Henley, Executive Director of Digitunity. “North Carolina has long been viewed as a digital equity innovator and leader, so we are especially proud to collaborate with the NCDIT team and stakeholders across the state.”
Digitunity invites interested organizations, businesses, and community leaders to support this statewide effort. Through collaborative action, North Carolina aims to build a robust digital infrastructure that closes the digital divide and provides all residents with the tools to thrive in a digital world.
About Digitunity
Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. Engaged in advancing digital equity for nearly forty years, Digitunity generates and places donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supports a national practitioner network, and advises states, cities, and coalitions on strategies to meet the ongoing device needs of people impacted by the digital divide.
Source: Digitunity
