# data[].attributes.body
12:13:17 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Do you have add ideas, links, or resources you want to share?


	GIF here: https://giphy.com/gifs/latina-vrcxO2t1CLV0k
12:15:22 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	“Do you know how frustrating it is to have to translate everything in my head before I say it?” Gloria, Modern Family
12:16:37 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Suggested questions: How do we bridge the barriers…
12:16:47 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	On social media, online programming, onsite programming, and media resources?
12:17:55 From Cathy DeBerry (Bound Brook/SCLSNJ Branch Manager) to Everyone:
	Bound Brook library / SCLSNJ will be offering beginning in January a pilot program where we will be teaching low literacy Spanish speaking residents how to read and write in Spanish using a tool called Leamos.  As studies show when individuals are literate in their first language, it is much easier to learn English
12:19:06 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	https://www.languageline.com/s/Translation
12:19:23 From Cathy DeBerry (Bound Brook/SCLSNJ Branch Manager) to Everyone:
	At bound brook, all signage is in Spanish and English, and all staff who speak both Spanish and English wear name tags sayings Yo Hablo Espanol
12:19:39 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Cathy, I love the tag ideas!
12:19:46 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	We have a button maker…maybe we should use it for something like that!
12:19:50 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	I can't speak right now - but one thing I've tried a lot is relying on Google Translate for Spanish for twitter posts and then asking for bilingual staff to sanity check translations for flyers. It's not a perfect solution. I've also had to translate myself (into Arabic) and I can say it is very hard to translate since it is very subjective - it's easier to edit a document than it is to do a straight translation.
12:20:09 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Please add to our shared page where people can access our notes and ideas later ! https://padlet.com/ce305/3wfeiymrbfyose10
12:20:18 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	What do you do if very few staff speak the language ? Other than hire new staff
12:22:57 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	Does anyone use pictograms instead of written language for a more universal experience with signage?
12:23:47 From Enola Romano @Montclair Public Library to Everyone:
	Any ideas/techniques for non-literate speakers of languages other than English?
12:24:21 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	I agree. IT is not just Spanish we need.
12:24:51 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Our library has a document that lists staff names, their language proficiencies, and contact information for staff to use in case they need assistance.
12:24:59 From Jessica Trujillo to Everyone:
	Does anyone financially compensate their staff for offering translation?
12:25:20 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	@Jessica, beyond their salary, no. They translate during their work hours.
12:25:41 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	EG, one staff member had hours added so she can translate for our Passport agents.
12:25:55 From Cathy DeBerry (Bound Brook/SCLSNJ Branch Manager) to Everyone:
	no, we do not financially compensate for translation, it is part of their job responsibilities
12:26:03 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Jessica same here, which is why we often opt to hire out- to not put undue work on someone whose job is not explicitly to translate
12:26:29 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Does anyone use services that are reasonably priced for translation that is accurate?
12:28:55 From Jessica Trujillo to Everyone:
	It's a great idea, Darby! :)
12:29:04 From Elizabeth Burns : NJSL TBBC to Everyone:
	it's not stealing, it's being inspired!
12:29:38 From Will Porter - Sussex County Library to Everyone:
	I'm interested in Jessica's compensation question. Can we circle back to that & discuss what it might look like?
12:29:57 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	Nice idea Darby! I will just add - it's easier to edit a translated document (even if it's just passed through google translate) sometimes than it is to translate from scratch *but* google translate is not great in every language
12:30:02 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they)(Direct Message):
	What is passport agent?
12:30:13 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Debbie Walter (UPLNJ)(Direct Message):
	We have a passport office in our library.
12:30:29 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they)(Direct Message):
	Thanks
12:30:31 From Darby Malvey (she/her) to Everyone:
	That's a great point, Hebah
12:31:14 From Mary Fran Daley- Wharton Public Library to Everyone:
	Their hourly rate should probably be higher, too, I would think, depending on the titles.
12:32:04 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	I agree with extra compensation - also just because someone speaks a specific language doesn't mean they are comfortable translating so it's better not to assume that any bilingual staff person can translate comfortably
12:32:21 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	Maybe for a larger system hiring a dedicated translator (for print materials) may make sense?
12:33:21 From Nathalie Levine to Everyone:
	Great point, Hebah and Jessica: Translation is a specific skill.
12:35:05 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	So we are basically talking about Spanish. Al of us have multiple languages "walking" into the library. How do you handle it
12:35:14 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	In the last lightning talk session Mimi Lee (from State Library) mentioned the Cross Cultural Communicators in Libraries program that aimed to give bilingual library workers these types of skills, link > http://www.njstatelib.org/cccil
12:36:00 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	@Will - yes!!! Translation is much harder! Interpreting can be accomplished on the fly (if the person is comfortable) but translation is so subjective so it can take a long time
12:36:15 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	Certain phrases like "check out a book" don't translate well, for example
12:38:35 From Enola Romano @Montclair Public Library to Everyone:
	but it sounds like your staff was hired with that expectation but that isn't done across the board
12:39:13 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	With general staffing shortages in the market, adding bilingual, which we would like to do, is so much harder and if we need people asap...
12:39:45 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Debbie perhaps the answer is empowering staff to use translation services or learn basic library information in a few languages
12:40:08 From Hebah Emara to Everyone:
	@Cathy it is important to make that as transparent as possible. Reading and writing are different skills than speaking and listening. For example, I can speak fluent Arabic but my reading/writing is much weaker. If I was expected to translate I would have a very difficult time doing that.
12:40:40 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Please share some of these ideas on the Padlet! Not sure how the chat will be saved and shared: https://padlet.com/ce305/3wfeiymrbfyose10
12:41:15 From Theresa Agostinelli (she/her) to Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they)(Direct Message):
	can you copy and paste the chat transcript and send to me?
12:41:16 From Theresa Agostinelli (she/her) to Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they)(Direct Message):
	thanks
12:41:24 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	Maybe there is potential for a grant or grants to support libraries hiring bilingual staff for translation purposes, or empower staff to utilize translation services
12:42:16 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	@Rosy, I love this idea.
12:42:33 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they)(Direct Message):
	Thanks!! Wonder who we can promote it to!
12:42:42 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Maybe consortia or state organizations can help pool also for interpretation services via phone, video, etc. if the staff part is not possible.
12:43:18 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Marco, does NBFPL have something like that in job descriptions?
12:43:19 From Will Porter - Sussex County Library to Everyone:
	Is the distinction between finding an applicant who happens to be bilingual vs. establishing a position whose role is explicitly tied to translating & interpreting?
12:43:31 From Mary Fran Daley- Wharton Public Library to Everyone:
	I have a question about outreach. We have an underserved Spanish-speaking community. I want to improve our offerings and make a real push to get them out.  How have you improved your services to groups that speak other languages? How have your outreach efforts been specific to groups in your communities?
12:44:48 From Enola Romano @Montclair Public Library to Everyone:
	so sorry I have to leave now
12:44:55 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	Thank you for coming, Enola!
12:44:58 From * Marco Arias to Everyone:
	Rosy, I don't think NBFPL has that in the descriptions...
12:45:16 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	Would anyone be interested in helping our staff out training them (us) on translation services
12:45:24 From Eve Pasternak /S. Plainfield Public to Everyone:
	Do we have time to address Mary Fran's question?
12:45:33 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Mary as a person who speaks very little Spanish and regularly did outreach to the Spanish-speaking community of New Brunswick, I tried to team up with a bilingual staff member for those events. Kids and Teens often do the work of translating for their parents at family events.
12:45:40 From Tech Help - Melissa Hozik (she/they) to Everyone:
	“Bilingual a plus” seems to be in most of our librarian postings now (we have 20+ languages spoken in our Township)
12:45:54 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Mary now I make sure to have a translated flier or two promoting library services
12:46:20 From Debbie Walter (UPLNJ) to Everyone:
	ditto on May's question
12:48:13 From Jessica Trujillo to Everyone:
	my staff are currently working on short PSAs in Spanish introducing what the library can provide.
12:48:42 From Rosy Wagner (she/her) to Everyone:
	@Jessica love that!

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Email accounts for patrons without cell phones?

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Email accounts for patrons without cell phones?

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It came up earlier in a discussion that now most free email accounts require a cell phone to sign up

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Showing patrons how to use ease of access tools/adaptive options on their devices and on library devices

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Showing patrons how to use ease of access tools/adaptive options on their devices and on library devices

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LEAP program doing programs for patrons at specific libraries -- outreach will scale up post pandemic

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Verbal communication can be a barrier to accessing information/services

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Verbal communication can be a barrier to accessing information/services

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Speech-to-text translator at reference desk
Pen and paper
chat reference
all useful for literate patrons

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Tools for persons with visual disabilities/low visual acuity

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Tools for persons with visual disabilities/low visual acuity

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Web accessibility affects people with visual handicaps, motor handicaps, neurological disabilities

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Web accessibility affects people with visual handicaps, motor handicaps, neurological disabilities

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    Discussion topics included hardware, software, access, infrastructure, training, broadband/hotspots, language, comfort/willingness, experience, age     As far as groups we talked about seniors, job searchers, library staff, younger people (more information than digital literacy)    A recurring point was what are the digital services that should be provided by every library (wifi, hot spots, laptops, training, cellular coverage, IT, assistance) and who pays for that.    To address the digital divide, we can't just work with people who come into the library. We have to be out in the community finding out what people need and how we can help.Action steps/questions:     What are the basic digital resources every library should provide?     What digital skills (including knowledge about free digital resources) should every library staff member have? Can the State Library, LibraryLink NJ or NJLA provide that training?     Our digital role grew explosively during the pandemic and will continue so we need to rebrand libraries.   Everyone,  from library boards to municipalities, needs to own this new library.  A clearer identity will provide a framework to reallocate resources and get access to new funding. 

# data[].attributes.subject
    Discussion topics included hardware, software, access, infrastructure, training, broadband/hotspots, language, comfort/willingness, experience, age     As far as groups we talked about seniors, job searchers, library staff, younger people (more information than digital literacy)    A recurring point was what are the digital services that should be provided by every library (wifi, hot spots, laptops, training, cellular coverage, IT, assistance) and who pays for that.    To address the digital divide, we can't just work with people who come into the library. We have to be out in the community finding out what people need and how we can help.Action steps/questions:     What are the basic digital resources every library should provide?     What digital skills (including knowledge about free digital resources) should every library staff member have? Can the State Library, LibraryLink NJ or NJLA provide that training?     Our digital role grew explosively during the pandemic and will continue so we need to rebrand libraries.   Everyone,  from library boards to municipalities, needs to own this new library.  A clearer identity will provide a framework to reallocate resources and get access to new funding. 

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Computer time:
more time for cardholders vs. guest pass
Extended time based on staff discretion

Fines:
stay tuned for NJLA's Diversity & Outreach section survey on fines/fine free.

Address requirement for card sign up

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Libraries Are Increasing Usage by Going Fine-Free

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Libraries Are Increasing Usage by Going Fine-Free

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There is no doubt that overdue fines and replacement fees present a significant barrier to use for those patrons who are most in need of library services, particularly children of low-income families and the elderly. ALA supports the idea of equal access to all, as noted in its core values statement: "All information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users."

Mapping Fine-Free Libraries

The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is "an innovation and impact tank of North America's leading public library systems." It fosters "cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions for the 21st-century" and compiles a map of fine-free public libraries in the U.S. and Canada that is updated regularly. It currently includes 128 systems.

Curtis Rogers, ULC's director of communications, describes some of the rationale behind libraries choosing to go fine-free and the different approaches they take:

By a wide margin, the most common reason that libraries are explaining their decision to go fine-free is that it will remove unfair barriers to library access for youth and patrons from disadvantaged backgrounds. A common, related driver is increasing engagement with the library and inviting users back who had been shut out because of fines. Some libraries have also cited that the cost to collect and oversee overdue fines did not justify the revenue generated by the fines-and they have found that eliminating fines saves on money and staff time. Several of the larger library systems have noted that overdue materials fines were generating a negligible percentage of their annual budget (sometimes less than 1%).

Rogers explains ULC's findings on the differing ways libraries are implementing fine-free programs, which are identified on its map: "Some libraries cease overdue fines on books, but still use them for DVDs, movies and other content. Some libraries have ceased overdue fines for youth materials, while others have done so for all patrons. Each community and each library is unique, and so the libraries' fine policies are unique as well. Sometimes the policies are implemented on a temporary or trial basis. Several libraries have fine-free summers, or months."

There is no right or wrong answer to going fine-free. Whether or not to implement such a program and how to do so are entirely up to the individual library-and are influenced by the users and usage profiles of its constituency. What works for the Boston Public Library may or may not work for the MidPointe Library System in Ohio. Each library should investigate not only its current user base, but also the community it supports in order to determine the correct approach to going fine-free.

Fine-Free Increases Library Usage

Linda Devlin is the director of the Camden County Library System in New Jersey. The system serves 334,343 residents in 26 communities throughout the county. Devlin describes the libraries' mission as providing "access to information, services, and opportunities that empower, enrich and enhance the quality of life for all." Its management team aims to remove roadblocks to that access: "We saw overdue fines as a barrier that was discouraging or preventing many residents from using the library, particularly vulnerable populations who would often benefit the most from our services. We realized that most of us had the financial means to pay library fines. However, others could make one mistake and be restricted from the use of library resources simply because they could not afford to pay their fines." Devlin adds, "The Library eliminated overdue fines for items checked out on children's cards in 2016 and saw an increase in borrowing and library use among children."

As of July 1, 2019, the Camden County Library System went fine-free except for "two high-demand collections with limited availability: museum passes and Grab and Go items (extra copies of high demand books and DVDs with a three-day loan)." Materials on loan from other libraries are also not included.

Devlin reinforces the clear benefits of eliminating fines, noting the following statistics from the first 3 weeks since July 1:

Number of previously blocked patrons who renewed their accounts: 38

Number of items returned by patrons who were previously blocked: 75 items returned by 14 patrons

Number of checkouts by patrons who were previously blocked: 812 checkouts by 143 patrons

Number of overdue items that were returned: 239 (significantly higher than the same time period last year)

"The change has been enthusiastically received by the community," Devlin says. "People are unexpectedly surprised when they find out they don't owe the Library any money. This is resulting in a surge of positive feedback and press about Library services, which is invaluable."

Patrons' Positive Reactions

Some library systems have only eliminated overdue fines on children's materials, while others offer amnesty periods during which users may return overdue items with no fines charged. Still others waive fines in return for food items, while some have dropped the amount to mere pennies per day per item.

The Denver Public Library (DPL) is a good example of how fines may be implemented differently depending on the age group. DPL has "never charged late fees for seniors, and in 2008, the library stopped collecting fines for [children's] materials, and in 2014 for young adult materials," says Michelle Jeske, Denver city librarian.

Jeske elaborates on the impact of moving to a fine-free environment: "Our customers love the new fabulous fine free change, and they have told us so, via messages, comments and actions. As of April 1, 22% of customers who had fines forgiven have re-engaged with the library in some form-that's 23,000 customers being welcomed back into our spaces."

Jeske continues, "Too often, fines penalize the most vulnerable families and individuals who can least afford them; we want to reverse this trend and get community members back into our buildings to use materials and enhance their quality of life and education."

Districts in northern Illinois, Massachusetts, and Ohio have been in the news for going fine-free, while libraries in communities such as San Jose, Calif., have drastically lowered daily fines. Regardless of whether a library decides to eliminate fines altogether or just for certain segments of patrons, it should definitely place a magnifying glass on the community it supports to assess whether it is creating barriers preventing library use within that community.

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Libraries Are Increasing Usage by Going Fine-Free

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Through the years, public librarians have struggled with the idea of charging fines and fees for late, lost, and damaged materials. Today, many libraries have decided to eliminate certain fines and/or fees. How they remove them, for whom, and for what types of materials vary from library to library.

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Increased wi-fi connection

Hotspot lending (if address restriction is removed for cards)

Accepting shelter/transitional housing address for card sign ups

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Make sure your flyers are large print so it's easier for everyone to read!

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With all this talk about Induction Hearing Loops and how they dramatically improve hearing and understanding in venues that are typically difficult for the hearing aid wearers, the one question that is asked over and over is "do you have a t-coil?" It is a simple question that many hearing aid wearers do not know the answer to! So what is this important t-coil?

A t-coil, or telecoil, is a small copper coil in a hearing aid that functions as a wireless antenna that links to a sound system or PA system, delivering customized sound to the hearing aid wearer. It is an option on most hearing aids and is generally in all cochlear implant processors.

Originally used to hear better on the telephone, the t-coil is necessary to hear within a loop system. Just increasing the volume on a hearing aid or cochlear implant doesn't necessarily improve the clarity. That is the "wow" factor of a t-coil in a hearing loop system. The clarity and understanding is unequaled when listening in a loop.

With a t-coil installed in the hearing aid, the user simply pushes the button or switch for the "T" setting - no additional headsets or receivers are necessary to hear clearly in the induction loop or on the telephone.
Get yours activated! T coils must be activated by the caregiver or audiologist. Ask for it, it's your hearing.
Don't pay until you get a working T coil and maybe a little microphone gain added in.

Be sure to ask for a MANUAL T-coil when buying hearing aids. This will allow you to switch from t-coil to microphone settings as necessary. The audiologist should program the t-coil to suit the user's needs which may include partial microphone on the t-setting, at least in one ear, to allow one to hear voices outside of the sound system.

Most hearing aids can be equipped with a t-coil except for the very small ITC (in the canal) aids. If a hearing aid does not have a t-coil, most can be retrofitted for $100-300. Some hearing aids have t-coils installed but not activated and some need to have the t-coil volume adjusted.

The t-coil opens doors to other options such as Residential loops work well for hearing the TV without bothering other family members or neighbors.

Bottom line, ask for a manual t-coil and have the audiologist educate you on its uses. T-coils require adjustment as much as other settings on hearing aids so don't be shy to ask for further assistance.

For more information on t-coils and induction hearing loops, visit http://www.nchearingloss.org/telecoil.htm and www.hearingloss.org

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What is this T-COIL in a hearing aid? - American Hearing Loop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With all this talk about Induction Hearing Loops and how they dramatically improve hearing and understanding in venues that are typically difficult for the hearing aid wearers, the one question that is asked over and over is "do you have a t-coil?" It is a simple question that many hearing aid wearers do not know [...]

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Need to let people know what we are doing.

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Who do we communicate with in order to gather information about what kinds of needs the disabled patrons of our particular libraries have?

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Homebound patrons might not be able to make it into the library. What are some services your library can provide to assist these patrons?

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Language Line Solutions for an interpreter or translation

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Language Line Solutions for an interpreter or translation

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Mimi Lee (from State Library) mentioned the Cross Cultural Communicators in Libraries program that aimed to give bilingual library workers these types of skills, link > http://www.njstatelib.org/cccil

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Mimi Lee (from State Library) mentioned the Cross Cultural Communicators in Libraries program that aimed to give bilingual library workers these types of skills, link > http://www.njstatelib.org/cccil

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Need to move forward. Part of the "new library." Mission and vision.

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Highland Park Library is holding community conversations around the disability experience for all ages this month

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Somerset County Library System of New Jersey

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Home Borrowing Library Services Home Borrowing Library Services make personalized connections between eligible customers and materials. These services are designed for customers experiencing temporary or permanent health, mobility, transportation, age related, or other qualifying barriers to visit…

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Home Borrowing

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Contact Nancy Suhaka for more info about Accessibility Services

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Contact Nancy Suhaka for more info about Accessibility Services

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Nancy Suhaka nsuhaka@sclibnj.org

Somerset Library

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Digital skills training for staff - core competency

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Services for Persons with Disabilities SCLSNJ is committed to meeting the needs of all library users. This includes making our collections, public programs, and services accessible to those of differing abilities.

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ADA SELF-ASSESSMENTSURVEY AND PLANNING TOOL

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ADA SELF-ASSESSMENTSURVEY AND PLANNING TOOL

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guide to using respectful words and language

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When writing or speaking about people with disabilities it is important to put the person first. Catch-all phrases such as 'the blind', 'the deaf' or 'the disabled, do not reflect the individuality, equality or dignity of people with disabilities.

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Contact Stephen about the LEAP Program.
800-792-8322 x 812
sfelle@njstatelib.org

LEAP is for New Jersey residents 55 and older who have a change in vision.

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Bound Brook library will be piloting a program where we will be teaching low literate Spanish speakers how to read and write in Spanish to better prepare them to learn English

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Digital divide is not just supplying the tools, but also the skills to use them.

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The Digital Divide - Need to Address Infrastructure, Inclusivity, Institutions, and Digital Proficiency

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The Digital Divide - Need to Address Infrastructure, Inclusivity, Institutions, and Digital Proficiency

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Infrastructure: Internet speeds; terrestrial broadband coverage; smartphone usage.

Inclusivity: Affordability of broadband; equity of broadband access across income groups; actual usage of the internet at broadband speeds.

Institutions: Political prioritization of broadband strategy; best practices of government use of technology for public services; restrictions on alternative local broadband solutions, such as municipal networks.

Digital Proficiency: How well people can navigate the digital world, which is shaped by demographic profile, education levels, political tolerance, degree of skepticism about news sourced from social media.

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Infrastructure: Internet speeds; terrestrial broadband coverage; smartphone usage. Inclusivity: Affordability of broadband; equity of broadband access across income groups; actual usage of the internet at broadband speeds. Institutions: Political prioritization of broadband strategy; best practices of government use of technology for public services; restrictions on alternative local broadband solutions, such as municipal networks. Digital Proficiency: How well people can navigate the digital world, which is shaped by demographic profile, education levels, political tolerance, degree of skepticism about news sourced from social media.

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digital divide is more than devices.  People need to know how to use digital tools and how to navigate through the vast amount of information

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digital divide is more than devices.  People need to know how to use digital tools and how to navigate through the vast amount of information

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Harvard Business Review article - How to Close the Digital Divide in the U.S. by Bhaskar Chakravorti

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Harvard Business Review article - How to Close the Digital Divide in the U.S. by Bhaskar Chakravorti

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https://hbr.org/2021/07/how-to-close-the-digital-divide-in-the-u-s

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The U.S. government is negotiating a plan to address one of the most important - but overlooked - problems facing the country: the digital divide. While this problem is often talked about as a simple problem of access to broadband internet service, it is deeper and more complex than mere infrastructure. In truth, the digital divide also is a problem of inclusivity, institutions, and individual proficiency, and a solution needs to address all four dimensions. Policymakers should: 1) pay for improvements using a "Romer" tax levied on digital ads, 2) coordinate locally appropriate solutions, 3) recruit Big Tech and major internet service providers to help close gaps, 4) invite public-private solutions, 5) update and expand existing affordability programs, 6) build in future-proofing, and 7) invest in digital literacy.

Finally, America appears to be taking bold action on fixing its fraying infrastructure. President Joe Biden's proposed American Jobs Plan - despite being negotiated down in a bipartisan deal - is a significant step in addressing one the of the country's most pressing, deeply rooted, and often overlooked problems: The plan contains a $65 billion budget spread over eight years to close the gaps in the digital infrastructure.

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How to Close the Digital Divide in the U.S.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The U.S. government is negotiating a plan to address one of the most important - but overlooked - problems facing the country: the digital divide. While this problem is often talked about as a simple problem of access to broadband internet service, it is deeper and more complex than mere infrastructure.

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Sofia Vergara plays Gloria on the sitcom Modern Family. Her role at times spotlights common Latin American struggles.

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"Do you even know how smart I am in Spanish? Of course you don't. For once, it would be nice to speak to someone in my own language in my own home."

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What disability-related barriers to information equity do we recognize and address?

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What disability-related barriers to information equity do we recognize and address?

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How do we bridge the barrier...

On social media?
Online programs?
Onsite programs?
Media Resources?

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