#Maine program to give old tech a new life for those in need

By Tina Fischer, June 18, 2025

"As part of its mission to boost broadband access across the state, the Maine Connectivity Authority is launching a program to distribute used digital devices to veterans, students, older adults and low-income households.

" 'Getting people a device that meets their needs for work, school, health care or other personal benefits is one of the most direct ways to enable internet access,' said Jessica Perez, the agency’s digital equity manager.

"The Maine Tech Share program, developed in partnership with a #WatervilleME nonprofit called #GiveITGetIT, aims to source 25,000 tablets, laptops and phones over the next few years for the effort.

"Give IT. get IT is a licensed and permitted electronics recycler.

" 'Maine business leaders who value our mission are the reason we have been able to provide more than 20,000 personal computers from Kittery to Fort Kent since 2002,' said Chris Martin, co-founder of give IT. get IT.

" 'Our partners benefit by safely donating their electronics, and we destroy the data, file compliance reports, and recycle and reuse everything we can to redistribute the technology,' he said. 'The whole process is a win for our partners, the environment and our community.'

"Maine’s Digital Equity Plan, approved in 2024, identifies access to an affordable, effective device for those who need one as a critical strategy to closing the digital divide.

"Nearly a third of low-income individuals and families indicated that they did not have enough devices to meet their needs. Age and quality of devices was also a consistent issue for enabling reliable internet connection.

"Over the last three years, the Maine Connectivity Authority has facilitated high-speed connections for 86,000 homes and businesses across the state."

Source:
https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/maine-program-to-give-old-tech-a-new-life-for-those-in-need

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineNews #Connectivity #BuildingCommunity #RightToRepair #RepairReuseRecycle #DigitalEquity

States Forced To Kill Millions In Rural Broadband Investment After Trump Illegally Kills The Digital Equity Act… Simply For Having The Word ‘Equity’ In It… #Broadband #Internet #InternetAccess #Republicans #RepublicansDidThis #RepublicansOwnThis #DigitalEquity

https://www.techdirt.com/2025/05/22/states-forced-to-kill-millions-in-rural-broadband-investment-after-trump-illegally-kills-the-digital-equity-act-simply-for-having-the-word-equity-in-it/

🚨 ICYMI: Our latest newsletter is packed! Edition 2025.20 covers NYSCI’s Cityworks, how we design better cities for families, state and federal data news, the costs of AI, and BetaNYC’s latest Data2Go clinics.

Get the details: https://www.beta.nyc/2025/05/15/whats-new-in-nyc-civic-tech-may-15-2025/

#DigitalEquity #DataForGood #TechPolicy #FutureOfCities

It’s easy to take access for granted, but millions are excluded every day. Allie Paschal’s piece highlights how designers can help bridge the web’s accessibility gap - starting with the homepage. #Web #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #UX #DigitalEquity

95% of homepages are inaccessi...

Red Painter uncovers a surprising stance from the Trump administration as it opposes "equity" in legislation like the Digital Equity Act. Associating the term with threats to conservative values, Trump swiftly cut funding after deeming it "RACIST" on Truth Social. Ironically, this act actually aims to boost internet access in underserved, often Republican-leaning rural areas, risking vital support for these communities. Explore the implications in detail here: https://crooksandliars.com/2025/05/trump-kills-digital-equity-act-which-has
#DigitalEquity #TrumpAdministration #InternetAccess #RuralCommunities #FundingCuts

Comcast brings high-speed fiber internet to Elmira, CA, bridging digital divide and empowering rural communities with critical connectivity infrastructure #DigitalEquity #RuralBroadband

Honoured to join @digitalgoodnet panel on a good digital society at @BBCRD shared insights on community-led design & governance from my cooperativa digital project #DigitalEquity #PlatformCooperatives #Codesign #commons

An empathy-driven AI can transform learning and reduce inequality. Think about adaptive tutoring that helps those who struggle the most. However, if we overlook fairness, AI may perpetuate systemic biases. Let us demand inclusive tools that genuinely serve all communities. #AI #DigitalEquity

Great catch up with South Ayrshire Council Digital Champions discussing how the #DigitalSchoolsAwards programme provides a roadmap for schools, using frameworks to integrate digital skills into the curriculum.Looking forward to working with schools in 2025💫#DigitalSkills #Schools #Sustainability #DigitalEquity #Collaboration

Do you feel more informed about public interest technology and open data? Sustain our work at < https://beta.nyc/donate >!

#dataforgood #digitalequity #publicinteresttech #opendata #donate

Join our mission to build an inclusive public interest technology community in NYC. We mentor NYC students as Associates. Support our work at < beta.nyc/donate >. Thank you!

#dataforgood #digitalequity #tech4democracy #communityimpact #opendata #donate

BetaNYC is holding an end-of-the-year campaign to sustain our work. Show your support by donating today at https://beta.nyc/donate.

#techforgood #digitalequity #communityimpact #publicinteresttech #donate #givingtuesday

Help us sustain a diverse and inclusive public interest tech pipeline by donating today at < beta.nyc/donate >. Thank you, we appreciate you!

#digitalequity #tech4democracy #communityimpact #publicinteresttech #givingtuesday

If you are posting about #DigitalEquity, make sure the graphics you have attached have alt text. Otherwise... not a good "look" for you...

We need to prioritize serious investments in infrastructure to boost digital accessibility in underserved communities. This means expanding broadband access, building tech hubs, and improving electricity supply. Successful initiatives like Google's Internet Saathi show how effective public-private partnerships can truly bridge the digital divide. #DigitalInclusion #TechForAll #BroadbandAccess #PublicPrivatePartnerships #DigitalEquity

https://www.paulwelty.com/the-reality-behind-online-learning-overcoming-the-digital-divide/

Did you know libraries offer free wifi and tech classes?

#digitaldivide #digitalinclusion #digitalequity #libraries @slcpl
https://medium.com/everylibrary/closing-the-digital-divide-in-the-us-280dd05e8d4a

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently announced a new licensing regime that has sparked significant debate within the telecommunications industry. One of the most contentious aspects of this regime is the exclusion of Over-The-Top (OTT) applications from the new licensing framework.
Read More: https://www.rawatly.com/is-trais-exclusion-of-ott-apps-creating-an-unfair-advantage-for-telecom-operators/
.
.
.
#TRAIReforms #TelecomDebate #OTTExclusion #Rawatly #DigitalEquity #TelecomRegulation #COAIConcerns #LevelPlayingField #OTTImpact #TelecomTrends

Proud of my hometown

Oakland, CA secured a $15 million grant to construct a city-owned, open-access, hybrid middle mile/last mile fiber network that will support the city housing authority's Free Internet Initiative

My story (at link below) also includes insights for community broadband leaders elsewhere as #OaklandUndivided advocates discuss how they beat back challenges from AT&T and Comcast with data

#Internet #DigitalEquity

https://communitynets.org/content/oakland-secures-15-million-grant-bring-broadband-underserved-neighborhoods

: Partners... How many of us have them?

We at T-ATP love our partners so much that we created a new tab on our website!

Link: https://www.t-atp.org/partners

If you know of organizations in the #digitalliteracy and #cybersecurity space that are looking for partnerships, please have them email us: inquiry@t-atp.org

#digitalequity #digitalliteracymatters #digitalequitychampion
#partnershowmanyofushavethem
#techforgood
#nonprofit #websiteonfleek
#eradicatingthedigitaldivideonestudentatatime

: Calling all sleuths!!! Our accelerators had another role-play assignment as digital forensic investigators! They had fun learning about #digitalforensics and staying safe online by turning off unnecessary settings.
#digitalequity #digitalliteracymatters #digitalequitychampion #digitalforensics #areyouaslueth
#digitalinclusion #techforgood #techinnovation #STEM #STEAM
#eradicatingthedigitaldivideonestudentatatime