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General membership Meeting

December 11, 2020
Community Forum on
Equity through Digital Inclusion Policy

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©2020 San Antonio Digital Inclusion Alliance, San Antonio

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Our Mission

Bridging The Gap Through Inclusive Growth

We are the community dedicated to advancing digital inclusion in San Antonio.

The Digital Divide is an economic and social inequity that creates a gap between people who have the skills and access to fully embrace broadband, communications technology and services, and those who do not. Digital Divide in San Antonio is directly correlated with socioeconomic groups where low-income residents fall on the wrong side of the divide. Digital Inclusion Alliance San Antonio (DIASA) aims to ensure inclusion by cultivating and promoting public policies and initiatives that prioritize digital equity, so that all residents can take full advantage of the digital economy.

We are a public and private coalition dedicated to advancing digital inclusion opportunities to foster educational attainment, competitive employment, financial prosperity, and greater community engagement for all San Antonio residents.

SA Internet Connectivity

Our Structure

30+ Organizations and 60+ Members From the Community

DIASA consists of a steering committee and four active subcommittees, which work to address the main issues that create the digital divide.

Currently, there are over 30 organizations and 60+ members from community non-profits, governmental entities, businesses, public education systems, higher education systems, internet service providers, NGO's, and media outlets are working to create a more inclusive and digitally equitable San Antonio.

  • Connectivity
  • Devices
  • Sustainability
  • Training

Objectives

OBJECTIVE #1

Public Policy

Incorporate Digital Inclusion Plan as part of the City’s Economic Development Plan

Plan Coming Soon
OBJECTIVE #1

Connectivity

Increase Access and Adoption of Internet Services

  • Expand municipal broadband infrastructure as needed to reach into low and moderate income neighborhoods and communities
  • Increase broadband access and adoption
  • Expand free WI-FI networks
  • Ensuring best practices are known to local governmental, organizations, and communities
  • Promote affordable high speed broadband options (To meet minimum speeds set by FCC)
OBJECTIVE #1

Devices

Increase Access and Ownership of Computer Devices

  • Increase capacity of electronics donations programs
  • Provide low cost options for home computer purchases
  • Increase community computer labs, and hours of operations and accessibility
OBJECTIVE #1

Training

Empower Community Through Technology

  • Expand basic and intermediate digital skills training
  • Create a pathway for careers in the digital economy
  • Promote and expand STEM education
  • Increase technology use to increase community engagement and quality of life
OBJECTIVE #1

Sustainability

Define and develop the capacity and impact of the Alliance

  • Create a unified brand and web presence for the DIASA
  • Release a research document framing San Antonio’s Digital Divide
  • Create and maintain a database of member, partnerships, and funding opportunities for DIASA
#2

How we work with the community:

Recent Digital Inclusion Initiatives

  • 2017
  • 2017: ConnectHome convening partner meeting (September)
    2017: South San ISD and SAISD awarded Sprint 1Million project (July)
    2017: ConnectHome passport program announced (partnership between SAHA and SAPL) (June)
    2017: First Digital Inclusion Alliance meeting – over 30 members in attendance (May)
    2017: Digital Inclusion VISTA assigned to coordinate efforts of the Alliance (May)
    2017: Digital Inclusion Summit, which kicked off community awareness of the digital divide; Digital Inclusion Alliance was announced during the Summit (March)
  • 2016
  • 2016: The Federal Reserve published “Closing the Digital Divide: A Framework for Meeting CRA Obligations,” and began hosting convening’s and training programs for banks, nonprofits, local governments, and anchor institutions (July)
    2016: NTEN Google Fellows assigned to work in 3 organizations in San Antonio to increase digital inclusion
    2016: City of San Antonio proposes budget to expand free Wi-Fi service in city owned public parks (August)
    2016: Grande Communications announces fiber expansion in San Antonio
    2016: Councilman Ron Nirenberg files City Council consideration request to develop policy recommendations on digital infrastructure
    2016: Launch of Goodwill Electronics Recovery Program providing refurbished computers for low-income families
  • 2015
  • 2015: Planning stages of UpgradeSA now digitalBexar project
    2015: Mayor Ivy Taylor creates Di2 Initiative
    2015: VIA implements free Wi-Fi to all buses & transit centers (September)
    2015: AT&T announces GigaPower Internet service
    2015: San Antonio is one of 28 communities selected for HUD’s ConnectHome program (July)
    2015: Google Fiber announces expansion in San Antonio
    2015: Open Internet: Net Neutrality