From the Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan (released October 2023) | See Benton summary
Idaho’s vision is to support all residents in thriving online through:
- Digital literacy, cybersecurity, and technical support – providing curated tools and resources to Idahoans to increase digital skills and online safety.
- Public services and resources—improving accessibility for Idahoans to connect and engage with local and state services.
- Affordable broadband and devices—ensuring Idahoans have broadband and internet-enabled devices that fulfill their unique work, school, and life needs.
Idaho will encourage digital equity by working to improve access to affordable and reliable broadband infrastructure across the state by 2028 to reduce physical barriers to digital access and by also working to help provide residents with human-centered tools and resources they need to better engage in the digital space. The Link Up Idaho Initiative Five-Year Action Plan completed by the Idaho Department of Commerce is primarily focused on Idaho’s physical infrastructure, while this digital equity plan is focused on the human element of fostering increased digital access among Idaho’s many communities, particularly among the covered populations identified by the Digital Equity Act.
To create the vision statement, a small working group explored the impact of digital access using a Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political (STEEP) analysis method. This analysis highlighted the many ways in which a connection to the digital world improves the lives of Idahoans—especially when it comes to economic opportunities. Conversely, Idahoans have fewer job prospects without connectivity, devices, skills, and accessible public services.
The broader DAAI planning team and steering committee provided feedback to create the final vision statement, which focuses on every Idahoan’s ability to thrive online. Digital access is vital for life in the 21st century, and the Digital Access for All Idahoans plan helps ensure everyone has access to information and communication technology.