In an effort to connect communities that are being bypassed by the digital age, Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser have unveiled a substantial investment to foster digital equity. According to an announcement on the city's official website, they are dedicating $2.4 million to improve access to technology for New York's underserved populations, focusing on actions that include enhancing computer labs in libraries and aiding senior centers across the five boroughs.
The "NYC Digital Equity Roadmap," a newly minted strategy spearheaded by the Adams administration, introduces 11 initiatives, such as creating an interagency Digital Equity Working Group and a chief digital equity officer role at the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI), as stated by the official press release. Mayor Adams emphasized the necessity of such measures, noting, "In today’s digital age, access to the internet, devices, and digital literacy are not a luxury — they are a necessity."
CTO Fraser, shining a light on the immediate requirements of New Yorkers who lack digital connectivity, expressed gratitude for the collaboration that resulted in the "NYC Digital Equity Roadmap." He said, “Today’s publication of the 'NYC Digital Equity Roadmap' announces new initiatives and investments that build upon our strong existing foundation and create the conditions for long-term success. Our focus remains on the fundamentals of digital equity: equitable access to the internet, to devices, and to digital skills training. I am grateful to all of our city agency partners that 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,” as noted by the city's official release.
Building on past successes like the Big Apple Connect program, the roadmap represents a coordinated effort between various city agencies, including the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Department, the New York City Department for the Aging, and the three public library systems. “Our goal is to ensure that all New Yorkers have the resources they need to succeed in today’s world, and we are grateful to the Adams administration for their investment and partnership as we work to advance digital equity,” outlined a combined statement from the heads of Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library. The plan details commitments, including retrofitting select older adult centers with updated technology infrastructure for enhanced learning experiences and expanding home internet access for New Yorkers in public and affordable housing, as per the Mayor's Office.
With 80% of eligible households within NYCHA already subscribing to Big Apple Connect, further push for enrollment in the free internet service is underway. Additionally, expansion plans include the purchase of a new digital van equipped with computer stations and printers for NYCHA's mobile computer labs, designed to extend their reach even further. The announcement also reflects Mayor Adams' broader vision to update the city’s infrastructure, following last month's cost-saving agreement with T-Mobile to support city operations. New York continues to lead in providing free internet with its public computer centers and LinkNYC kiosks, a crucial resource for the estimated 10 percent of New Yorkers without a computer at home.
