Digital Equity Basics for Illinois

Thursday, February 9 at 12 PM CT

 

What is digital equity? What does it look like in Illinois? According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, digital equity is a state in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy. Increasingly, digital equity is necessary for civic participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services such as healthcare. 

 

This session will focus on defining digital equity and looking at the state of Illinois’ work thus far towards digital equity and its future goals. The discussion will include interaction with participants about community access to broadband. 

 

About the presenter:

Dr. Adrienne Pickett currently serves as Visiting Coordinator for Broadband at the Illinois Broadband Lab, situated within the University of Illinois System’s Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation. Dr. Pickett was previously University of Illinois Extension’s 2021-22 Illini Science Policy Scholar, assigned to the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Illinois Office of Broadband. Prior to this, she taught for two years as a pre-kindergarten teacher and worked for more than a decade in higher education as a college instructor, adult educator, and an academic and career advisor. Specifically, Dr. Pickett manages curriculum development and oversees the project activities of the Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption & Digital Equity (READY) program. In addition, she assists regional team leads by managing local strategic planning, community resource mapping, data analysis, and project deliverables.