PROCESS
Key initiatives were identified to address the digital divide
Our plan to bridge the digital divide identified key initiatives to overcome all adoption barriers across all affected populations. Some initiatives are barrier specific and span all populations, like infrastructure deployment, while others address multiple barriers for a single population, like education sponsored solutions.​​
Expand infrastructure access
Encourage deployment of residential fiber at reliable 100/ 100 mbps target speeds where feasible and of other tech (e.g., fixed wireless, mesh) to fill gap
Enable access in affordable housing
Retrofit or install adequate connectivity in housing complexes (e.g., SAHA), coupled with devices / literacy offerings
Support school-sponsored access programs
Expand school-centric connectivity / device programs and integrate tech education and digital curriculum into the backbone of learning
Expand low-income internet offerings
Connect residents to available low-income solutions, expand public internet access, and create new mechanisms to make service affordable
Distribute devices
Create systems to supply low-cost devices through employer programs, refurbished donations, and sponsored provider plans
Stand-up adoption support programs
Conduct multi-channel campaigns to enroll residents in digital programs and invest in digital literacy / tech support
Collect data &
track KPIs
Establish mechanisms for ongoing assessment of household need and available assets to track progress and inform future solutions
Implement an effective operating model
Stand up the operating model, resourcing, and communication mechanisms that will mobilize coordinated and effective action across public and private entities
Overall, these solutions will be implemented with an equity-first approach, prioritizing connectivity of highest need groups like minority, low-income, and student populations first.
For each of the initiatives, we have developed an understanding of the relevant context, the benchmarks from comparable cities and relevant local learnings and efforts, detailed recommendations, and expected costs. As we move to implementation, we will identify the appropriate initiative owners and work closely with those owners to detail workplans, timelines, milestones, costs, and ownership for execution.
Achieving our goal requires cross-stakeholder support, engagement, and implementation
City, county, state, and federal policymakers to prioritize and unlock sustainable funding for digital equity and enabling regulation/policy
Private sector to champion the need for digital investment and help implement digital initiatives (e.g., STEM programming, infra. nodes)
Service providers to ensure solutions can be provided affordably and reliably
Community organizations to elevate the needs of the community and serve as key points of contact to drive adoption and support digital skills
Ed entities (K-12, higher ed, libraries, workforce dev) to expand digital/tech curriculum and serve as focal points for data collection and execution
Philanthropies to catalyze investment and support ongoing research, data collection, and execution towards closing the digital divide
All stakeholders must come together and leverage their unique expertise to sustainably close the divide
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Throughout the development process, a series of focus groups, meetings, and surveys were conducted, to engage a total of 146 entities in the community:
118 Community Organizations/Businesses + 28 K-12 Districts/Charters/Organizations
participation breakdown
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Survey Responses: 107 total (98 unique)
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One-on-One Meetings: 30
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Focus Groups Participation: 17
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Representation through Advisory Member: 15
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K-12 Questionnaire Responses: 8
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K-12 Focus Groups Participation: 25
FOCUS GROUPS
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Healthcare/Telemedicine
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Veteran/Active Military
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Business
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Civic Engagement/Justice System
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Individuals with Disabilities
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Seniors
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Funders
Bexar County ISDS &
Charter Schools (K-12)
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Chief Technology Officers
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Superintendent Update
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E-Rate Updates
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ISD Questionnaire
Download to view the list of entities who participated in the surveys, meetings, focus groups, and/or had representation on the Community Advisory Board.
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This presentation also includes inventory survey results and focus group findings.