New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser on Friday announced a $2.4 million investment to bridge the digital divide, ensuring New Yorkers of all ages have access to devices and digital literacy training.
The funding will go towards renovating computer labs in libraries and older adult centers, improving Internet access for low-income New Yorkers, delivering refurbished computers, mobile devices and other related equipment to various organizations, expanding the NYCHA mobile computer lab fleet, among other things.
“In today’s digital age, access to the internet, devices, and digital literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity," said Adams. “Our administration remains committed to bridging the digital divide and with today’s $2.4 million investment, we are ensuring that every New Yorker has the tools they need to thrive. We are meeting New Yorkers where they are—expanding computer labs in our libraries and older adult centers across the five boroughs—to provide critical resources and advance equity across our city.”
The mayor also released a report titled “NYC Digital Equity Roadmap," which highlights the city's goal to bring computer access to underserved communities across the five boroughs.
Some highlights include:
Access and Affordability
-Providing targeted connectivity and support to older New Yorkers by retrofitting select older adult centers with updated technology infrastructure to support learning experiences.
-Expanding home access for New Yorkers in affordable and public housing by piloting free wireless internet to Section 8 households.
-Promoting Big Apple Connect to boost enrollment.
-Exploring new ways to leverage public assets to provide greater access to home broadband internet, public Wi-Fi and other services by issuing calls for ideas, designs and prototypes.
Devices, Digital Skills, and Support
-Delivering refurbished computers, mobile devices and other related equipment to eligible organizations in need that will prioritize device access for under-connected communities.
-Investing new capital in public computer centers to address gaps in resources and programming that currently exist, beginning with a set of investments in NYPL branches.
-Expanding tailored technical support in affordable housing communities. The city and the three public library systems will partner to deploy teams of digital navigators to help residents use online social services; connect with family, friends, teachers and case workers; avoid digital scams; create accounts and recover passwords; and find reliable information online.
-Expanding the reach of NYCHA’s mobile computer labs by purchasing a new digital van equipped with computer stations and printers. The vans — which have brought connectivity and internet access directly to NYCHA residents since 2012 — are also available at JobsNYC Hiring Halls to help New Yorkers with job search activities and resume printing.
Coordination and Advocacy
-Establishing a Digital Equity Working Group to create greater cooperation and cohesion for citywide efforts, including advocating for important funding opportunities, supporting information sharing across city agencies and leveraging new resources to invest in digital equity work.
-Creating a chief digital equity officer position who will prioritize coordination for funding opportunities and lay the foundation for longer-term planning of digital equity work.
-Conducting a comprehensive assessment of ongoing capital needs for digital equity work to determine where capital investments will yield the biggest impact and commit to fund more projects in the upcoming capital plans.
The city is focused on providing equitable access to the Internet, devices and digital skills training, said Fraser.
"I am grateful to all of our city agency partners who contributed to this roadmap and am confident that our coordinated approach will ensure residents, regardless of background or zip code, possess the tools and knowledge to fully participate in our 21st century society," he said.
