By the County of Santa Barbara
The internet is a critical part of everyday life. Yet one in five Californians, including many across Santa Barbara County do not have access to affordable, reliable broadband service, devices, and the skills to use them. Going without a reliable broadband connection can affect the ability to land a better job, provide a better education to the next generation or fully access medical care. The gap between those with broadband connections and those without is known as the “digital divide.” The California State Digital Equity Plan aims to close the digital divide.
Over the next few months, the California Department of Technology will be leveraging a federal planning grant to develop a state Digital Equity Plan. When completed, the plan has the ability to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to California and ensure our residents have affordable, high-speed internet access, as well as the skills and tools needed to participate in the digital economy.
To produce a Digital Equity Plan that works for all Californians, we need our community members to take the California Digital Equity Survey by June 30, 2023. The survey results will help determine how much federal funding will be allocated to California.
Our state needs to hear especially from those who struggle most with accessing the internet. This includes English language learners, veterans, immigrants, adults over 60 years old, people who live in rural areas, individuals with disabilities, minorities, and those living at or below the federal poverty level. The survey is available in 13 languages and is mobile friendly.
To take the survey, please click here: California State Digital Equity Plan: Public Survey
