Diversity and Civil Rights Issues in Broadband Deployment and Adoption

Internet and Broadband access is an important issue for the African-American community (and those who serve it) to be involved in. Not having access to information via the Internet cripples minority and disadvantaged communities even more. This fact was discussed at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public workshop on Friday Oct. 2, 2009 in Washington DC.

http://www.broadband.gov/ws_diversity.html#reldocs

The panelists who spoke shared their ideas about on how the National Broadband Plan can increase community broadband adoption. Why Broadband adoption is important  and why some communities are not adopting broadband as actively as others. Laura Efurd, ZeroDivide's Chief Community Investment Officer was one of the panelists and her presentation was entitled "Best Practices in Broadband Adoption"

Reports from the Pew Institute and Public Policy Institute of California were cited during the workshop. The reports show that access to economic opportunities (i.e employment) and health information (doctors, hospitals, tests) resides more and more on the Internet.

This was one of a series of workshops where the FCC and community leaders gather to discuss the importance of having broadband service available to underserved communities throughout the US.
For more information about the FCC’s National Broadband plan.

http://www.broadband.gov/ws_diversity.html#reldocs

There’s even a blog where you can post your thoughts and comments.