Louisiana's digital equity plan update from March 28, 2023, includes comprehensive stakeholder engagement through 32 focus group meetings, resulting in 740 total digital form responses. The document outlines the current state of digital equity in Louisiana, highlighting barriers and assets, and emphasizes strategic objectives to enhance broadband access and digital literacy in the state. The plan also engages various community demographics to address specific needs and incorporate feedback in future drafts.

1. Louisiana’s Digital Equity Plan
BEL Commission Update
March 28, 2023

2. Stakeholder Engagement Meetings

3. Focus Group Meetings
• 32 focus group meetings or interviews
– 22 virtual meetings
– 10 in-person meetings, including 3 tribal
consultation meetings with federally recognized
tribes
• 259 participants

4. Digital Form Responses
Option to indicate parish in the digital form was added after
the first stakeholder meeting (Acadiana)
740 total responses, 319 answered 1+ of the 7 core questions

5. Digital Form Responses

6. Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Blanco Center Staff Assignments......................................................................................................1
1 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 4
2 Introduction and Vision for Digital Equity .............................................................................. 5
2.1 Vision ................................................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Alignment with Existing Efforts to Improve Outcomes ................................................... 5
2.3 Strategy and Objectives ................................................................................................... 27
3 Current State of Digital Equity: Barriers and Assets..............................................................29
3.1 Overview on State of Broadband in Louisiana................................................................29
3.1.1 Broadband Adoption..................................................................................................29
3.1.1.1 Internet Subscriptions .......................................................................................30
3.1.1.2 Computer Ownership......................................................................................... 32
3.1.2 Broadband Affordability ............................................................................................ 33
3.2 Needs Assessment and Asset Inventory..........................................................................36
3.2.1 Digital Inclusion Assets by Covered Population........................................................ 37
3.2.1.1 Older Adults .......................................................................................................43
3.2.1.2 Incarcerated Individuals....................................................................................46
3.2.1.3 Veterans..............................................................................................................49
3.2.1.4 Individuals with Disabilities ..............................................................................49
3.2.1.5 Individuals with a Language Barrier ..................................................................51
3.2.1.6 Individuals of a Racial or Ethnic Minority Group and Tribal Nations ..............51
Black..................................................................................................................................51
Asian ................................................................................................................................ 52
Hispanic........................................................................................................................... 52
Tribal................................................................................................................................ 52
3.2.1.7 Individuals Who Reside in Rural Areas............................................................. 56
3.2.1.8 Health Care......................................................................................................... 57
3.2.1.9 Agriculture..........................................................................................................58
3.2.1.10 Workforce........................................................................................................... 59
3.2.1.11 Libraries .............................................................................................................60
3.2.2 Existing Digital Equity Plans .....................................................................................64
3.2.3 Existing Digital Equity Programs ..............................................................................64

7. Analyze Data & Build
Plan Framework
(Q3 2022)
•Creation of
Louisiana’s vision
statement for
digital equity
•Analysis of existing
data on
broadband access
and digital literacy
skills
Stakeholder
Engagement
(Fall 2022)
•Conducted in
partnership
with regional
planning
commissions
&
postsecondary
partners
•Hear from
communities
across
Louisiana
about digital
equity and
connectivity
Synthesis of
Feedback
(Winter 2022)
•Blanco Center
will conduct
Focus Groups
•Blanco Center
will analyze
feedback from
engagement
process
•Synthesized
data will be
incorporated
into draft
Digital Equity
Plan
Draft Plan for
Expert Feedback
(Spring 2023)
•Draft sections
will be shared
with key
stakeholders
Draft Plan
(Late
Spring)
•Publicly
featured
opportunities
to review and
provide
feedback on
Digital Equity
Plan
Digital Equity Plan
Timeline WORKING DRAFT
Current status

8. STAY IN TOUCH
BlancoCenter@louisiana.edu