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Digital Inclusion Week: Everyone Belongs in a Connected Nation

Bowling Green, Ky. (May 4, 2018) – Digital Inclusion Week is set nationally for May 7 to May 11. It’s a week to raise awareness and understanding of who is being left out of a digital world; how it impacts families, businesses, and communities; and what can be done to include all Americans.

Digital Inclusion Or Transforming Education 1 300x272 Student learn how to use the computer and access different resources via broadband.

“Connected Nation works with local, state, and federal leaders to help them more effectively identify where the Digital Divide truly sits and what can be done to close the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots,’” said Tom Ferree, Chairman & CEO of Connected Nation (CN). “We also provide programs focused on expanding the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies once they are available. This is such an important piece of the puzzle because just having access to the internet is not enough. People need to understand how to access the opportunities for a better education, healthcare, jobs, goods and services, and, ultimately, a better quality of life.”

Connected Nation’s mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions for expanding access, adoption, and use across the country.  The nonprofit does so through, among other things, its workforce development program, Digital Works, as well as school technology assessments, mapping and analysis services, state and federal advocacy, and the Connectedsm Community Engagement Program.

“Digital Inclusion Week is a perfect time to remind communities that if students in their area can’t get online to do their homework, if businesses are struggling to reach new customers, or even if their city government can’t connect with its citizens through broadband, then we can help,” said Eric Frederick, Vice President of Community Affairs for CN.  “It’s incredible how beneficial the Internet is to families and businesses. The opportunities are limitless. To leave people out, to leave them without the broadband access that can improve their quality of life or help them improve their education or financial standing, is simply wrong.”

Frederick leads the Connectedsm Community Engagement Program, which works to identify where there is a lack of broadband and provides solutions to connecting the community with its community-specific Technology Action Plans. The engagement program staff work directly with local community leaders to help businesses, families, farmers, urban and rural schools and libraries, and others find ways to connect to broadband and improve their communities.

Digital Works Training Digital Works graduates celebrate completing their courses with facilitator Tammy Spring (middle)

“We have classes across the United States, both in facilities and virtually, where people are trained in how to use digital resources or, if they already have a basic understanding, we train them for employer-related needs such as customer relations and technical support,” said Stu Johnson, Director of Digital Works. “Work-at-home and telework jobs are the fastest-growing segments of the workforce, and for rural areas, they also can be vital for saving the economy and small communities.”

To learn more about the ways Connected Nation can help you, your family, or your community, head to www.connectednation.org or email us at info@connectednation.org.

Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Denson, Communications Manager
jdenson@connectednation.org
(502) 341-2024

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Connected Nation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that develops and implements strategies to close digital equity gaps and improve digital skills in communities across the United States.

Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand the access, adoption, and use of broadband (high-speed internet) to all people. We believe that everyone belongs in a Connected Nation. For more information, please visit: www.connectednation.org or follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.