The Department of Housing and Community Development (https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/digital-opportunity) has awarded funding to CAPSAW, Total Action For Progress (https://tapintohope.org/) and New River Community Action (https://newrivercommunityaction.org/) funding to develop a regional Digital Opportunity Plan.  The United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (https://uwhr.org/) is also a partner on this project.

This project will engage with local stake holders, conduct a needs assessment, identify barriers to digital opportunity and develop potential solutions for the identified populations in the region.  

Help us plan for a future with broadband access for everyone by taking a short survey.  

Digital Opportunity Survey (ENGLISH)    

Digital Opportunity Survey (SPANISH)

Surveys in additional languages will be available soon!

Prefer a paper version?  You can dowload a PDF here.  Contact valleycapsaw@gmail.com if you would like multiple paper copies to distribute and to arrange pick up!

PDF English Version

PDF  Spanish Version

If you are a company or program providing services to community members you can help us create a list of what supports and opportunities already exist in our region by taking this short survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BroadBandNeeds

What is Digital Equity?

The Digital Equity Act:  Passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress budgeted $2.75 billion for efforts to increase access to the internet.   In recent years, states have focused on expanding broadband infrastructure like fiber, and now they’re planning for digital equity using local data, input from local organizations, and people like you.

When we reduce the divide between those who have access to the internet and those who do not -we are creating digital equity.   

The reasons for a lack of access to the internet are not so simple.  The planning process will consider issues such as:

• Availability & Affordability
  1. Is high-quality broadband available at a price you are willing to pay? 
• Online Accessibility & Inclusivity 
  1. When you go to websites, are you able to find the information you need and understand it?
• Digital Literacy
  1. Do you know enough about using a computer and the internet to take advantage of it?
• Online Privacy & Cybersecurity 
  1. Are you able to protect yourself on the internet from identity theft, online predators, and other threats?
• Device Availability & Affordability
  1. Do you have access to the internet through a device (computer, cell phone, tablet, etc.)?

 Why is this important?  Expanding access to the internet will help our community thrive.

• Economic and workforce development goals, plans, and outcomes
  1. People can access job applications, acquire the skills to perform jobs, and work from home
• Educational outcomes
  1. Students of all ages will have access to the information and resources they need to learn
• Health outcomes
  1. Medical information is readily available, medical appointments may be done online to save time, money, and address transportation issues
• Civic and social engagement
  1. People are connected to information, opportunities, and each other 
• Delivery of other essential services
  1. Individuals can connect with government services, non-profit resources, access libraries, or other essential services 

What’s next?  We are creating regional plans to address local concerns with local solutions.  Once the plan is complete and approved by the federal government, the Commonwealth of Virginia can begin to implement these plans in partnership with community colleges, Workforce Development Boards, and many other key partners.  

How can you participate? Learn more about our Assessment Survey, Community Discussions, and planning process here.  Meeting announcements and survey links will be available soon!

Help us plan for a future with broadband access for everyone by taking a short survey.  

Digital Opportunity Survey (ENGLISH)

Digital Opportunity Survey (SPANISH)

Surveys in additional languages will be available soon!

If you are a company or program providing services to community members you can help us create a list of what supports and opportunities already exist in our region by taking this short survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BroadBandNeeds

This project was funded/supported in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Regional Digital Opportunity Planning Grant Program.