Digital Inclusion
Despite the growing importance of the Internet in American life, nearly one-third of Americans are not online. While there is no single solution to closing the this digital divide, increasing computer and Internet skills - known as digital literacy - is key to bringing more Americans online and opening doors to opportunity. In partnership with nine federal agencies, NTIA created DigitalLiteracy.gov to provide librarians, teachers, workforce trainers, and others a central location to share digital literacy content and best practices. Anyone can use the website to identify the skills needed for various jobs, locate suitable training, and search for employment. The website also provides a central location where grantees from NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program can upload and share digital literacy training materials with other practitioners and the general public, leveraging the value of these projects.
Digital Literacy fact sheet
Related content
Notice of Digital New England Community Broadband Summit
SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), through the BroadbandUSA program, in conjunction with Next Century Cities will hold a one-day regional broadband summit, ‘‘Digital New England,’’ to share information to help communities build their broadband capacity and utilization.
Working to Close the Digital Divide in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley has long been a hub of technological innovation and promise in our country. It’s the birthplace of iconic technology companies such as Intel, Apple, Cisco, and Google. And regions across the country – and even around the world – attempt to emulate its success.
This week, I joined Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and other Commerce Department leaders in travelling to Silicon Valley to promote the Department’s initiatives to spur U.S. economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness.
We’re meeting with leaders of technology powerhouses, fledgling start-ups, and venture capitalists funding the next big idea. Yet, we recognize that not everyone in the region has shared in the wealth created in Silicon Valley. Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with a number of groups including the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), the Chicana/Latina Foundation, the Latino Community Foundation, and others that are working tirelessly across the state to close the digital divide.
Leaders from Silicon Valley-area community groups gather with Assistant Secretary Strickling to talk about bridging the digital divide.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Digital Literacy Initiative
At a public computing center in Baltimore today, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced a digital literacy initiative that works to expand economic and educational opportunities in America. Locke joined U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) in unveiling www.DigitalLiteracy.gov, a new website that provides libraries, community colleges, schools and workforce training centers a variety of resources and tools for teaching computer and Internet skills, which are increasingly necessary for success in today’s economy.