Barnstable Digital Equity Plan

Overview
The Plan
Get Involved
Outreach Kit

Overview

The Town of Barnstable is working with the Cape Cod Commission to draft a municipal digital equity plan.

Digital equity efforts seek to ensure everyone has the same access and opportunities to the information technology needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy. The focus is on bridging the affordability of internet service and devices, building skills to use programs and equipment, increasing trust, and overcoming language or other barriers that keep individuals from fully participating.

“A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is necessary for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services.”

National Digital Inclusion Alliance

Internet Connection Icon

Digital Skills Icon

Internet Connection

Affordable, fast, reliable, accessible.

Devices

Adequate, needs-appropriate, affordable, accessible.

Literacy/Skills

Ability to use technology, functionality, trust, privacy concerns.

This project was funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Purpose of the Digital Equity Plan

Digital equity plans prepare municipalities for future funding opportunities. Through the digital equity planning process, towns can develop strategies in a community-driven framework to ensure all benefit from future investments.

Public input and participation are essential to this process, enabling the town to incorporate and reflect the community's vision when advancing future initiatives and projects.

Plan Elements

Introduction & Town Vision for Digital Equity
Current State of Digital Equity
Existing conditions, knowledge gaps, challenges, and opportunities
Stakeholder Engagement Process
Who was engaged and how were they engaged
Key Findings
What was discovered throughout the planning process
Implementation
Recommendations for driving solutions, evaluating progress, and funding opportunities

How to Get Involved

Community Workshop Series

Community participation is a critical component of this planning effort. Residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend an upcoming event to learn about the digital equity plan and contribute to the development of the plan through group exercises and conversations. Discussion topics will include internet availability, affordability, and reliability; technology and devices necessary for civic, social, and economic life; and skills to participate safely, confidently, and effectively online. Light refreshments will be served.

Three events are scheduled in the Town of Barnstable:

Connectivity and Creativity: Digital Equity Community Workshop
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cotuit Center for the Arts; 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit MA
Join the Town of Barnstable, Cotuit Center for the Arts, and the Cape Cod Commission for a morning of dialogue and creativity as we consider the impact of the internet and technology on our livelihoods. This workshop will include a brief presentation about the Town of Barnstable’s digital equity plan, followed by robust group discussions and activities inspired by our artistic surroundings. Refreshments will be provided.

Digital Equity Pop-Up
Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Hyannis Youth and Community Center; 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis MA
An educational pop-up table will be offered at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center to share information about the digital equity plan and to gain perspective from community members to inform this effort. Interactive activities, educational resources, and snacks will be provided.

Community Digital Equity Workshop
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
West Barnstable Community Building; 2377 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA
Join the Town of Barnstable and the Cape Cod Commission for an educational and interactive workshop to inform the town’s digital equity plan. The event will kick-off with a presentation about the Town of Barnstable’s connectivity landscape, followed by facilitated group discussion around challenges and opportunities related to internet access and adoption. Sandwiches and other light refreshments will be provided.

Take the Survey

Completing the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Survey. Paper surveys in multiple languages are available. Contact info@capecodcommission.org for more information.

Submit your comments

Online at https://capecodcommission.org/DE-comments, or

Mail: Cape Cod Commission Attn: Steven Tupper, Deputy Director
3225 Main Street (Route 6A) | PO Box 226
Barnstable MA 02630-0226
Fax: 508-362-3136, attention of Steven Tupper, Deputy Director
E-Mail: please put “Barnstable Digital Equity Plan” in the subject line and send to info@capecodcommission.org

How to use this toolkit:

The following resources are intended to support outreach and publicity efforts for the Town of Barnstable Municipal Digital Equity Plan. Share the text and graphics in your newsletters, on your website, or social media accounts.

Download Outreach Resources

Are you connected?

Do you have the devices, skills, and access you need to connect to the Internet? Can you easily stay connected with friends and family, pay bills and monitor expenses, manage your healthcare, access schoolwork, and participate in community discussions?

Is your internet access reliable and affordable? What would improve your online experiences?

The Town of Barnstable is working with the Cape Cod Commission to create a municipal digital equity plan. This project will help us better understand the challenges that community members like you face with the internet and technology and to identify solutions that ensure all have access to the information technology needed to fully participate in our community.

Your ideas on how the Town of Barnstable can foster a more inclusive digital future are vital to the plan's success. Ultimately, the plan will serve as a resource to guide decision-making and investment and a tool to access further funding.

Your thoughts and ideas will shape the plan, and you can engage in the effort by:

Taking the survey which will inform the digital equity plan.

Attending a community workshop, which will gather community members to discuss connectivity, device, and skills-based challenges and opportunities. Dates for the workshops will shortly be announced.

Stay current as the plan progresses: Keep an eye on this newsletter or visit cccom.link/barnstable-de

Newsletter (Shorter Version)

Are you connected?

The Town of Barnstable is working with the Cape Cod Commission to create a municipal digital equity plan. This project will help us better understand challenges that community members like you face with the internet and technology and to identify solutions that ensure all have access to the information technology needed to fully participate in our community.

You can shape the plan by taking a survey, joining a community workshop, and by staying up to date as the plan progresses. Keep an eye on this newsletter or visit cccom.link/barnstablede

Social Media

Version A

You can shape the plan by taking a survey, joining a community workshop, and by staying up to date as the plan progresses. Visit cccom.link/barnstable-de to learn more.

Version B

Do you have the devices, skills, and access to stay connected online? Whether it’s keeping up with friends, managing bills, or accessing healthcare, the Internet is necessary in today’s world. The Town of Barnstable and the Cape Cod Commission are working on a digital equity plan to ensure everyone in our community can fully participate. Your input will shape our approach. Stay informed: visit cccom.link/barnstable-de.