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Evaluation

Paper Presentation

Rural Issues

Session: Rural Urban Parity

Increasing Digital Equity for Underserved Rural Populations: Assessing Implementation of New Federal Legislation

Saturday, October 26, 2024
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT
Location: KC Convention Center, Room 2209

    Presenter(s)

  • SA

    Steven G. Anderson, MSW and PhD

    Professor and Dean Emeritus
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Urbana, IL, United States

  • YF

    Yali Feng, MLIS

    Assitant Professor
    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library
    Urbana, IL, United States

This presentation assesses progress in developing digital equity initiatives in rural areas, including tribal lands. Based on existing literature review and a comparison of a sample of recently developed state/territorial digital equity plans, we will assess the involvement in development by underserved groups and discuss strategies for responsive digital programming.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe major provisions in recent federal legislation on digital equity, and understand key barriers to digital access in rural areas by those most in need. Be able to differentiate digital access barriers facing older persons, those with disabilities, low-income persons and minorities, including persons living on tribal lands.
  2. Assess the progress rural states and territories, including Native American tribes, are making in implementing new federally funded digital equity plans, and identify the extent to which underserved groups are participating in needs assessment and program planning..
  3. Demonstrate specific ways in which both macro and direct practice social workers can contribute to digital equity progress in rural areas, and be able to define useful partnerships with librarians, educational extension staff, health care providers, and other allied professionals with mutual interests and complementary skills related to digital equity.