This document discusses the lack of access to technology and high-speed internet that underserved communities face. It notes that without technology access, individuals are set up to fail in today's technology-dependent society. The economically disadvantaged are less likely to be able to afford reliable technology access. Research conducted on a Native American reservation found that physical bank locations are disappearing, leaving only internet banking, but high-speed internet is often unavailable in low-income areas. Approximately two-fifths of lower-income families rely solely on mobile devices for internet access. Hispanic and immigrant families have particularly low rates of technology and internet access due to cost barriers. The document proposes establishing a technology center to help the community learn skills and access advanced technology through

1. Access to Technology in Underserved Communities
In our society of advanced technology, virtually nothing can be
done without the use of technology. Our system is set up for
individuals to fail
when it comes not only to access to computers and technology,
but the knowledge to operate
such things effectively. Furthermore, the economically
disadvantaged are less likely to have reliable access to
technology for the simple fact that technology can be
prohibitively expensive.
This research was
conducted on the
Puyallup Indian
Reservation.

2. Literature Review
• We learn from Terri Friedline’s research article; Digital Redlining: Poor
Rural Communities’ Access to Fintech and Implications for Financial
Inclusion, that physical bank locations are slowly disappearing. Leaving
internet banking the only option in some areas, and that high-speed
internet isn’t generally available in low-income neighborhoods. (2020)
• Walker’s Enshrine Internet Access as a Human Right. Time
International and Jacobson’s Low-Income Families “Under-Connected.”
Library Journal tells us that two fifths of lower income families rely on
mobile devices for internet access. Furthermore, they found that
Hispanic-immigrant families are the most underserved with 10% having
no internet access and 40% relying on cell phones for the internet.
Stating that the biggest barrier for these communities is cost.
(2016,2021)
• Ayre gives us an example of how it can get done with help from
community partners. Where in Detroit a mesh wireless network provides
permanent broadband in a low-income neighborhood called the Detroit
Community Technology Project. This community-based mesh network
allows multiple homes access with only one internet account. People can
also share resources and the data lives on the network not a cloud.
(2020)

3. We are conducting a fishbowl
poll asking “Do you or
someone you know need
better access to technology
and/or highspeed internet?
One bowl for yes and one for
no/do not know.
We each also searched databases and
Google for scholarly papers on the
subject.

4. Our group proposes a technology center that can
help the community learn and access advanced technology.
It would have competent teachers to
help students of all ages with digital content creation of all
types.
1, Astound.com; FCC affordable internet
2, Century Link; The Affordable Connectivity Program
provides a discount on internet to eligible customers.
They suggested coming in on a Sunday
3, City of Tacoma.org
4, Comcast; Residential internet services and devices -
Internet essentials Program
5, Digital Navigation; 1-(800)-492-6663 Goodwill
6, Verizon; Free Verizon internet (wi-fi included)

5. Our bias was that we already assumed
that this was going to be a problem
before we even started. We are
concerned that people may be wary
about excepting tech from the
government, or businesses that might
listen in.

6. Our group proposes a technology center that can
help the community learn and access advanced
technology. It would have competent teachers to
help students of all ages with digital content creation of
all types.
Available resources
1, Astound.com; FCC affordable internet
2, Century Link; The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a discount on internet to eligible customers. They suggested
coming in on a Sunday
3, City of Tacoma.org
4, Comcast; Residential internet services and devices -Internet essentials Program
5, Digital Navigation; 1-(800)-492-6663 Goodwill
6, Verizon; Free Verizon internet (wi-fi included)

7. Jacobson, L. (2016). Low-Income Families “Under-Connected.” Library Journal, 141(4),
29.
Walker, D. (2021). Enshrine Internet Access As a Human Right. Time International
(Atlantic Edition), 197(3/4), 70.
Unicef. (2020). How Many Children and Young People Have Internet Access at Home? Estimating Digital Connectivity
during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In . (Ed.).
Mersereau, M. (2021). Universal and non-excludable broadband Internet access: A
modest proposal for municipal provisioning of broadband as a basic service. Canadian
Journal of Urban Research, 30(1), 30–39.
Kingsley, A. (2022). Why Digital Poverty has become key in the human rights fight.
Education Journal, 409, 25