The Digital Divide in Appalachia

The Digital Divide in Appalachia : 

The Digital Divide in Appalachia By Audrey Hogan

Digital Divide Defined : 

Digital Divide Defined A term that describes the division of the world into two camps, those who have access to the Internet and other advanced information technologies and those who don't. The term highlights the issue that those who do not have access to such technology are potentially destined to futures where they will be at an economic disadvantage. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/digital+divide

Contributing Factors in the U.S. : 

Contributing Factors in the U.S. Race / Ethnic Background Age Education Gender Rural vs. Non-Rural PEW Internet: Home Broadband Adoption 2009 http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2009/Home-Broadband-Adoption-2009.pdf

Broadband Access Can Provide… : 

Broadband Access Can Provide… Improved Health Educational Achievement Economic Opportunity Community and Civic Participation Measuring DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY for AMERICA’S CHILDREN: Where We Stand and Where We Go From Here, from the Children’s Partnership Report http://www2.ucsc.edu/cjtc/docs/dd_highlights.pdf

Appalachia : 

Appalachia

Counties in Appalachia : 

Counties in Appalachia

Appalachia in the 1960s : 

Appalachia in the 1960s 1 in 3 Appalachians lived in poverty Per capita income was 23 percent lower than the U.S. average More than 2 million Appalachians had to leave the region in the 1950s, due to harsh conditions and unemployment Appalachian Regional Commission: http://www.arc.gov/about/ARCHistory.asp

Appalachia Today : 

Appalachia Today Poverty Rate: 13.6% Per Capita Personal Income: 80% National Average Per Capita Market Income: 74% National Average Appalachian Regional Commission http://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/SocioeconomicOverviewoftheAppalachianRegion.asp

Question: : 

Question: Why Focus On The Divide?

Appalachian Regional Commission:http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf : 

Appalachian Regional Commission:http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf “For a variety of reasons, the area substantially lacks adequate access to a robust telecommunications infrastructure. This, in turn, exacerbates the region’s geographical isolation and serves as a barrier to the economic, educational, medical and various other benefits that regions outside of Appalachia – including rural ones – have enjoyed for years. “

ARC Continued: http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf : 

ARC Continued: http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf “This rural digital divide exists despite the provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other initiatives designed to assure access to modern telecommunications services to all Americans. This problem is particularly acute in the region’s distressed counties – those where the poverty and unemployment rates are substantially higher than the national averages. Hence there is a need to take proactive steps to address this market imperfection. “

More Statistics:http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf : 

More Statistics:http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf “Tech-related job growth in the region’s rural areas from 1996-2000 was a mere 21% versus a national average of 53%” Industries have trouble remaining competitive, since they cannot communicate as readily with suppliers and clients Educational opportunities for K-12 and adult learning programs are missed due to lack of telecommunications infrastructure

Help! : 

Help! Federal Government Community Centers and Libraries Non-Profit Organizations

Connected Nation:http://www.connectednation.org/ : 

Connected Nation:http://www.connectednation.org/

Resources: : 

Resources: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/digital+divide PEW Internet: Home Broadband Adoption 2009 http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2009/Home-Broadband-Adoption-2009.pdf Measuring DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY for AMERICA’S CHILDREN: Where We Stand and Where We Go From Here, from the Children’s Partnership Report http://www2.ucsc.edu/cjtc/docs/dd_highlights.pdf

Resources Continued: : 

Resources Continued: Appalachian Regional Commission: http://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/MapofAppalachia.asp Appalachian Regional Commission: http://www.arc.gov/counties Appalachian Regional Commission: http://www.arc.gov/about/ARCHistory.asp Appalachian Regional Commission http://www.arc.gov/appalachian_region/SocioeconomicOverviewoftheAppalachianRegion.asp

Resources Continued: : 

Resources Continued: Appalachian Regional Commission:http://www.arc.gov/images/programs/telecom/InformationAgeAppalachia.pdf Brown, P.. (2008, March). MAPPING THE FUTURE WITH BROADBAND. Rural Telecommunications, 27(2), 30-32,35-36.  Retrieved March 1, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 1460151221). Comments of the American Library Association In Response to NBP Public Notice #16, Before the Public Communications Commission. http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ALA-NBP-Public-Notice-16-12_2_09.pdf

Resources Continued: : 

Resources Continued: www.speedmatters.org http://connectednation.org THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME