About

About the Directory

Through engagement with DIN members it became clear that there are digital literacy programs, services and training tools already developed and available locally; however, DIN members and other community-based organizations (CBO) serving marginalized and vulnerable residents had trouble tracking what was available, how to best use the resources, and how to connect residents to services. 

This searchable directory of digital inclusion training classes, free WiFi locations, free or low-cost computer resources, public computing centers, tech support, etc. was designed by and for DIN members and the CBO community. As CBOs interact with residents to help them with education, employment, voting, citizenship, housing, legal and health services, etc. we hope this directory of resources builds and supports your organization's capacity to provide services effectively and efficiently. 

Through collaboration on the information contained in the directory, we hope to maintain a robust database of resources that allow DIN members and others to share training materials, identify opportunities, challenges and resource gaps, and develop solutions to better serve our digitally disconnected residents.

  • SEARCH the directory by Categories, Languages, Services or Tags
  • SHARE resources, information, notifications, events, opportunities, needs, etc. by sending us Feedback 

About the Digital Equity Action Plan

In April 2016, after hearing heartfelt and powerful testimony on the need for digital equity from DIN members, the Portland City Council, the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners and the Multnomah County Library District made a commitment to bridging the digital divide for excluded and marginalized members of our community by unanimously adopting a Digital Equity Action Plan (DEAP). 

The DEAP provides a framework for community groups and public agencies to collaborate on actions and projects that specifically address inequities in access to high speed internet, affordable devices, and relevant, culturally-specific training specifically for under-served and marginalized populations. This cooperative approach builds on isolated digital inclusion programs, projects and activities to achieve greater cooperation and information sharing across our region.

The DEAP Mission is to bridge the digital divide for excluded members of our community with affordable access, training and tools.

The DEAP Vision is that all residents of Portland/Multnomah County will have barrier-free access to high-speed broadband internet at home and school, an affordable computing device and the training to use them effectively.

Through implementation of the Digital Equity Action Plan, DIN members are working to address key goals that the community identified as important to overcoming barriers to an inclusive and digitally-connected community: 

  • Ensure access to affordable high-speed internet and devices;
  • Provide culturally-specific training and support;
  • Empower community partners through funding, coordination, and resource sharing;
  • Create digital economy job opportunities for underrepresented populations; and
  • Building a supportive public policy framework.

Read the Digital Equity Action Plan (DEAP) -  the DEAP provides a framework for local partners to collaborate on 17 strategic actions that target inequities in access to high-speed internet at home and in school, devices to use the internet, and relevant training to gain digital literacy skills.

Leadership

The City of Portland Office for Community Technology (OCT) and Multnomah County Library, with assistance from County staff, are tasked with overseeing DEAP implementation and convening the Digital Inclusion Network. A primary responsibility and commitment of OCT and the Library/County is to foster and engage partnerships and community efforts that align with DEAP goals.

OCT logoLibrary logo  County logo

Since DEAP adoption, the DIN, has grown to over 45 members and has demonstrated ongoing commitment to guide DEAP implementation efforts, pursue opportunities for greater community engagement, and meet monthly to check-in on project progress.

The 2016 National Digital Inclusion Summit praised the DEAP for its inclusive plan development process. In addition, the DEAP won the National Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) 2016 Community Broadband Strategic Plan of the year award, and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) recognized the DEAP as a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer.

Road Map

DEAP roadmap

Impact Assessment

In order to assess impact over time, DIN partners agreed to follow certain criteria:

DEAP efforts will focus on serving the following populations:

  • Low income individuals and families
  • Older adults
  • People of color
  • People with disabilities
  • People with limited English proficiency

DIN partners will identify Promising/Effective Activities:

To be considered promising, the activity should:

  • Engage the targeted population in the activity design/planning/assessment
  • Be designed based on best practices/research
  • Provide informative feedback to practitioners about the learning progress of the targeted population
  • Allow for targeted population learners to self-assess progress

To be considered effective over time, the activity should:

  • Reach the targeted population
  • Be potentially transferable and scalable to other targeted populations
  • Indicate evidence of reducing the digital divide for a targeted population

DIN partners will track how being involved with the DEAP has helped build capacity:

As a result of the DEAP, did your organization:

  • form new partnerships?
  • improve its ability to meet client needs?
  • refocus resources or identify new resources?
  • expand services / client base?
  • place greater priority on this work?