Currently, Michiganders all over the state are struggling to get online and stay connected, with many families relying solely on their mobile phone to access the internet. In some rural areas, more than 1 in 3 households lack access to high-speed broadband. 70 of the state’s 83 counties show connectivity rates below the national average. It’s in recognition of this connectivity crisis that the non-profit social enterprise human-I-T highlights 4 ways that Michigan nonprofits can help their communities get connected:
1. Equip Your Community with Internet-connected Devices
People need devices to fully take advantage of the opportunities the internet can provide. With the right hardware, a student can attend online classes, access research, or submit their homework. A senior can use telehealth services or connect with friends and family online. A worker can update their resume or apply for a new job. Owning a device is a necessary part of participating in the online economy.
human-I-T offers 2 easy solutions to access affordable devices:
For organizations: human-I-T supplies qualifying nonprofits, community centers, educational institutions, libraries, religious organizations, and local governments with bulk orders for internet-connected devices such as Google Chromebooks or Microsoft Surface tablets.
For individuals: Eligible low-income individuals can shop www.hitconnect.org for reduced-cost desktop computers, laptops, and mobile hotspots. Proof of eligibility is required for all purchases.
2. Connect Residents to Affordable Internet Subscription Plans
According to the online provider search HighSpeedInternet.com, the average internet plan in America costs $50-60 per month, an infeasible expense for most low-income families to pay every month. Even if they could afford this bill, many rural communities lack the high-speed internet infrastructure to deliver fast and reliable connectivity.
Thankfully, human-I-T’s team of “Internet Subscription Specialists” provides a free service to residents nationwide to get online and stay connected. They’ll identify hard-to-find, low-cost internet plans- ranging from $10-25 a month with no contract- and select a plan that works for the recipient’s needs. If there are no broadband providers available locally, clients can purchase a high-speed mobile hotspot device, which is available across the Sprint/T-mobile network. Individuals interested in learning more about low-cost plans in their area can call toll-free at 888-268-3921.
3. Include Everyone in Digital Literacy Programs
Access to a device and a reliable internet connection are the two of the biggest pieces of the puzzle to unlocking digital opportunities, but they’re not the whole picture. Many of us, particularly seniors, may not be familiar with personal computing or searching the internet.
To close the skills gap and to ensure that everyone has the basic knowledge that’s required to make full use of their device, human-I-T offers a free training course for total beginners, teaching new users how to use email, browse the internet, and more! To enroll in this free program, send a text message to 562-372-6925.
4. Participate in the Michigan Moonshot Broadband Internet Connectivity Survey
More than 380,000 homes in rural Michigan do not have access to broadband. However, this number might be even higher: the available data used by government and telecoms network planners is often inaccurate or out-of-date. That’s why Michigan Moonshot, the Merit Network, the Quello Center at Michigan State University, and M-Lab have teamed up to identify areas of Michigan that do not have, or have poor broadband Internet service.
Completing this survey should take five minutes or less. Any information submitted will not be sold, but may be used in planning to expand access opportunities with government and local partners. To participate, visit https://www.merit.edu/survey/ today!
For more information about human-I-T, visit https://www.human-i-t.org/