How Pitt is helping the commonwealth thrive in an increasingly digital world

Pennsylvania faces one of the United States' lowest levels of digital literacy and connectivity, according to its Department of Labor and Industry. To address this issue, the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance (GPDIA) convened a network of Western Pennsylvania organizations and launched a targeted effort to bridge the region's digital divide. Collectively, they invited the University of Pittsburgh to be a core partner, providing backbone support for their efforts.

Together, they formed the Pennsylvania Leading Equity Access Program (PA LEAP) and submitted a $16.8-million, four-year proposal for funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to build such a bridge in 13 local counties, 11 of them rural.

Coalition officials felt so strongly about the project's breadth and Western Pennsylvania's needs that they warranted a request above the usual $12 million maximum for the NTIA's Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. The project aims to serve individuals of all prioritized Covered Populations - some 240,000 total, by NTIA reckoning - and in a wide geographic reach: from Lake Erie to the Ohio and West Virginia borders to the Laurel Highlands.

Coalition officials hope to launch in December, should the NTIA grant arrive in that time, and extend the project into a fifth year for program-end evaluation.

"The University of Pittsburgh is deeply concerned with the digital divide in Western Pennsylvania. Achieving digital equity - the idea that all Pennsylvanians have what they need to thrive in a digital world - benefits Pitt's workforce, student body and the social and economic health of the region," said Lina Dostilio, vice chancellor for engagement and community affairs. In addition to ECA, Pitt's role as a key partner in this project is enhanced by additional support and leadership, including Chief Information Officer Mark D. Henderson, a staunch advocate for Pitt's digital equity collaborations.

"It's an unprecedented effort of collaboration and cooperation amongst organizations that are paddling around in the same pool," said Jen Blatz, GPDIA program director. The alliance consists of 37 member organizations - almost all of whom previously competed for the same grants and funding - forming a communitywide, multi-sector group under the National Digital Inclusion Alliance umbrella. "We now have a clearer understanding to the point where we'll never have a digital skills class with an empty seat. I'm in a lot of national meetings, and I don't think anyone has done as detailed sharing of information among organizations as we did."

Amid National Digital Inclusion Week 2024, the coalition is focused on addressing barriers to digital equity through its project's objectives: digital inclusion referral services, digital skills training, workforce development and access to refurbished devices.

In addition to Pitt, the coalition includes GPDIA members Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the City of Pittsburgh's Rec2Tech, City of Pittsburgh Housing Authority, Computer Reach, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Literacy Pittsburgh, Neighborhood Allies, Tech2Elevate, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Vintage Center for Active Adults and YWCA Westmoreland County.

"A lot of people still think access to the internet is a luxury, and we know as a coalition it isn't," Blatz said. "Broadband has become fundamental to every dimension of our lives."

[Read more: How a Hill District CEC program is closing the digital divide in Pittsburgh]

Continued Carey Harris, chief executive officer of Literacy Pittsburgh: "Digital literacy has rapidly become as important as language in navigating work, health care, banking and life. Literacy Pittsburgh is pleased to be part of this coalition, which is poised to provide seamless and integrated support to our region. We are excited to play a central role in growing the digital skills of adults across our region, including job search, online safety and telehealth, as well as industry-recognized credentials."

"Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is proud to partner with the University of Pittsburgh and others on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Digital Equity competitive grant program," President and CEO Monique McIntosh said. "We are committed to dismantling barriers that limit economic mobility, earning potential and career advancement for under-resourced individuals so that they can meaningfully participate in their careers, communities and personal lives."

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reports nearly 1 in 5 Pennsylvania citizens live in poverty and 45% reside in broadband-spotty census tracts with high Digital Divide Index scores.

In the project's Western Pennsylvania footprint, communities struggle with the affordability as well as the availability of broadband. PA LEAP envisions deploying Digital Navigators - for one-on-one training and attention - through community networks, allowing residents to better find affordable, available options. Access is vital for everyday services: education, job opportunities, telemedicine where there is little health care, access to public benefits and other essential services. Blatz pointed to one example where the strengths of Allegheny County's experience could be replicated in surrounding counties, and at a low cost.

"Digital skills training and digital navigation: Those are the backbone, the two core principles to being on one side of what we call the digital divide," Blatz said, "and crossing over to the other side."

Pitt's Information Technology department will also play a key role in the coalition, leveraging its expertise and ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide in alignment with the Plan for Pitt.

Map by Southwestern Pennsylvania Connected, an initiative of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission

"This critical effort to bridge the digital divide is the result of years of collaboration with our community partners," said Henderson, Pitt's CIO and vice chancellor overseeing IT. "Pitt is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our region, and that includes ensuring that digital equity becomes a reality for all Pennsylvanians. We're proud of what this coalition has achieved together and look forward to seeing the profound impact this work will have in the backyards of our campus footprints and across the commonwealth."

The proposal covers the following counties: Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette and Somerset. According to PA Leap, the populations served by the project number 36,000 covered households, 13,000 veterans, 14,000 facing a language barrier, 30,000 people with disabilities, 56,000 aging citizens, 76,000 from a racial or ethnic minority, and 72,000 rural residents. Some people may qualify under more than one Covered Population.

"Many communities, including individuals and families with lower incomes, rural residents and individuals with a language barrier, cite affordability or a lack of options when choosing an internet service provider or buying a reliable device. Others, including older adults, veterans or individuals with disabilities, may need additional assistance and skills training to successfully navigate the internet and other fast-changing technologies," said Jen Schuchart, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's director of meeting basic needs. "Internet access is a basic human need, and, as a coalition, we're working to make technology more accessible for our community."

Digital equity planning remains in its early stages. Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh unveiled their first such plan last December, and Pennsylvania's was announced in January.

Because of past funding limitations, "people are often left behind in a debate about who's most deserving," Blatz said. "We're including everyone."

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski; Pitt also leads local digital equity efforts through programs like the S.T.E.A.M. Studio at the Hill District Community Engagement Center. The studio hosts youth summer camps and adult courses in partnership with Pitt IT, the School of Computing and Information and other University units.

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