The past few years have highlighted the stark digital divide in the Greater Pittsburgh region. Basic computer skills are needed for 82% of middle-income jobs, for school, work, and to access public benefits, yet 30% of households with earnings under $20,000 year lack in-home internet and computer access. These statistics only increase barriers for residents who face structural and racial inequities. With this support, we and our partners are working to bridge this digital equity gap.

With generous support from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, the Greater Pittsburgh Digital Inclusion Alliance (GDPIA)–a network of 20+ community-serving nonprofit organizations in the region convened by Neighborhood Allies–will be able to expand coordinated engagement across Allegheny County to serve even more households regardless of race, age, ability, gender identity, linguistic fluency, or geographic location. 

Our shared purpose is to activate engagement across Allegheny County in digital equity and inclusion initiatives and employ tested outreach and organizing strategies to :  

• Support digital equity and inclusion providers through networking and information sharing; 
• Strengthen the impact of digital inclusion programs by leveraging the heft of our multi-member coalition to influence service and partnership agreements; 
• Raise awareness about digital inequity and the federal, state, and regional financial and social supports available to address them;   
• Build political and public support for long term, sustainable investment in solutions that address these solvable digital equities. 

For more information on Digital Inclusion work at Neighborhood Allies, contact our Director of Digital Inclusion and Innovation, Itha Cao (itha@neighborhoodallies.org). For more information on GPDIA, contact Jen Blatz, GPDIA Program Director (jenniferblatz@gmail.com).