Digital Access for all Idahoans Plan Logo
Ensuring Idahoans have access to information and communication technology vital for life in the 21st century.

Overview

In 2022, Governor Brad Little designated the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) as the lead agency to develop a collaborative Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan. Each state and territory is required to have a plan in place that addresses digital adoption by September 30, 2023 as part of the Digital Equity Act (DEA). This plan will dovetail with the Idaho Broadband Strategic Plan for 2022-2027 and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) state plan that will soon be developed by the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and the Idaho Department of Commerce.

We are working with over 100 Idaho state agencies, nonprofits, and other groups to identify the barriers to widespread broadband adoption. The state should receive $564,706 in funds from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help fund the planning process. Initial plans include hosting regional listening and planning convenings, conducting a telephone survey in English and Spanish to gather data on adoption barriers, facilitating city and county Broadband Action Teams, developing a collaborative vision statement, and setting measurable goals to accomplish during the next five years. In the second year, implementation funding will be made available from the NTIA to states with approved digital adoption plans.

Timeline

Resources

Digital Equity Act Programs

An overview of the federal Digital Equity Act Programs facilitating the development and implementation of statewide plans and projects for the next five years.

ICfL’s Digital Inclusion Resources

The ICfL provides an overview of digital inclusion and related resources via a dedicated webpage.

Idaho Digital Access Workbook

This workbook is intended to help communities throughout Idaho form action groups to start investigating and defining their local community needs related to digital inclusion.

IdahoDigitalSkills.org

Idaho Digital Skills offers Idahoans free access to online learning tools to increase their digital skills.

Email us your comments, questions, and suggestions at digitalskills@libraries.idaho.gov

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Dylan Baker

Dylan Baker

Deputy State Librarian
Email / 208-639-4167
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