Empowering Communities: A Call to Action for Digital Equity in Rhode Island

“In Rhode Island, my family and I have found a new home, and the journey has been filled with challenges and opportunities. One of the most significant turning points was receiving a computer and internet access. This technology has been a lifeline, enabling me to navigate a new country, support my family, and give back to the community. It's not just about having the hardware; it's the gateway to opportunities, connections, and essential services. For many refugees like me, digital access is not a luxury; it's a necessity for integration and empowerment. We need to ensure that everyone, especially those who are struggling to rebuild their lives, has the same access to these vital resources.” -Amin Faquiry, former Afghan military captain and U.S. Interpreter

"For many refugees like me, digital access is not a luxury; it's a necessity for integration and empowerment. We need to ensure that everyone, especially those who are struggling to rebuild their lives, has the same access to these vital resources.”

The story of former Afghan military captain and U.S. interpreter Amin Faqiry relocating his family of five from Afghanistan to Cranston, RI captures the core message of digital equity. Like many others, his journey highlights the transformative power of digital access, demonstrating its role not just as a tool but as a necessity for pursuing opportunity on a persosnal and community level. As our lives move progressively online, digital equity becomes increasingly important and undeniably essential. Digital access is a matter of ensuring dignity, and it takes the cooperation of all sectors of society—government, business, nonprofits, and philanthropy.

Digital equity encompasses a complex but vital challenge that goes far beyond internet access. Rhode Island’s Digital Equity Plan is part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will require all of us to close disparities and provide all Rhode Islanders with equal access to digital opportunities.

One of the most obvious signs of digital inequality is the disparity between people without access to large screen devices and the internet compared to the digitally-enabled members of society who have reliable access to technology.? In households with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, and low-income households, the rate of having a home desktop or laptop computer is significantly lower, with only 48%, 62%, and 63%, respectively. Almost one-quarter of these marginalized groups and over one-third of digitally limited proficient households rely solely on smartphones for their home computing needs, and 11% of Rhode Islanders have only one smartphone for their home computing needs.

This last fact alone underscores the prevalence of limited large-screen device access across the state. For these individuals, a smartphone is not just a convenience; it is the only way they access education, employment opportunities, healthcare information, and more.?

The reality is that smartphone-only access is not sufficient, nor are limited public access points or loaned computers. Like substandard housing or homeless shelters in the digital world, they are short-term fixes that don’t provide long-term solutions. Rhode Islanders must own large-screen devices to fully participate in the digital age.?

The good news is that Rhode Island has a way forward. Creating pathways for no-cost and low-cost device ownership is increasingly possible as devices become cheaper, more powerful, and more robustly connected with each generation. To ensure technology accessibility to everyone, Rhode Island needs locally developed, sustainable systems for donating, refurbishing, and redistributing digital devices. Developing a sustainable device ecosystem aims to emulate successful models from sectors such as automotive, apparel, and furniture, where products are recycled, resold, and refurbished to extend their utility, minimize waste, and increase affordability.

Rhode Island is well-positioned to address the digital divide thanks to its diverse range of resources. The state boasts a strong network of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, colleges and universities, businesses, philanthropic organizations, libraries, nonprofits, and e-waste recyclers. Rhode Island can harness its collective potential to drive the necessary transformation by fostering collaboration among these entities. This collaborative approach is crucial to ensuring long-term digital equity for all Rhode Islanders, as it leverages each sector's unique strengths and capabilities.?

Despite the scale and impact of the digital divide, we are encouraged by the proactive measures being taken at the federal and state levels. With $108 million devoted to Rhode Island’s? Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a monumental step forward in ensuring that high-speed broadband internet is available in every Rhode Island location. Rhode Island is eligible for over $4.5 million in federal Digital Equity Act funds, with more anticipated that will help all residents take advantage of these new broadband connections. As a pioneer in this transformative journey, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (RICC)’s BEAD and Digital Equity plans outline a visionary use of these funds.

The RICC plan reflects the realization that a reliable Internet connection is just the beginning - device access, digital skills, and support systems are all part of digital equity. We can create a more equitable and prosperous Rhode Island by ensuring that free and low-cost large-screen devices are available, offering digital skills training opportunities, fostering a sustainable device ecosystem, and advocating for high-speed broadband connections.?

It takes action and innovation to transform Rhode Island into a model of digital inclusion. This begins with our collective optimism and the stories that inspire us to move toward an equitably connected society.

About OSHEAN

OSHEAN, the Rhode Island-based Research and Education Network, was founded in 1999 to deliver state-of-the-art broadband and cloud services to non-profit Community Anchor Institutions across New England. Over 150 organizations connect to OSHEAN’s 600-mile fiber optic network, including healthcare providers, higher education institutions, K12 schools and districts, non-profit community organizations, state agencies, and municipalities, OSHEAN provides these members with essential services at affordable prices, including high-speed broadband internet, advanced cloud services, and cybersecurity protections.

About Digitunity

Digitunity is working to make owning a computer possible for everyone. Their perspective is shaped by four decades of experience, creating local impact through the benefit of a national lens. They are a national nonprofit, independent organization that works to increase large screen device ownership for people who are historically marginalized. Their Digital Opportunity Network has over 1,600 members working to ensure all people own a device, fostering innovative solutions to close the technology gap.