RIHousing, the Rhode
Island Office of Innovation and national nonprofit EveryoneOn
have partnered to administer ConnectRI,
an initiative aimed at eliminating the digital divide by offering high-speed,
low-cost internet service, computers and digital literacy courses to Rhode
Islanders in need.
The Pew Research Center estimates that 80% of students need internet
access to complete their homework and that 90% of job applications are
submitted online. However, in Rhode Island, nearly 26% of households are not
connected to the internet. Closing the digital divide is essential in order to ensure
that Rhode Islanders have the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.
ConnectRI addresses these challenges by working to bring high speed internet
access to every Rhode Island household.
“The digital divide is holding
back our students and our workforce,” said Barbara Fields, Executive Director
of RIHousing. “ConnectRI addresses this issue head-on by making these resources
accessible to even more of our residents. We’re looking forward to working with
our partners to create education and employment opportunities for Rhode
Islanders.”
RIHousing will utilize its
existing relationships with many of the state’s least connected residents to
spread awareness of the program and identify those Rhode Islanders who will
benefit most from ConnectRI.
