Digital inclusion is not simply a matter of laying fiber; it is a question of social membership… who can learn, work, obtain care, and participate in civic life in an increasingly digital society. The Piedmont Triad Regional Digital Inclusion Plan, completed in late 2024, answers this challenge with a clear, evidence-based roadmap for twelve counties. The Plan, written for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council by Innovative Research Insights in partnership with UNCG’s Center for Housing and Community Studies, defines digital inclusion across four interlocking dimensions: access, affordability, skills, and meaningful use, and frames digital equity as a social determinant of health and mobility.
Methodologically, the plan blends rigorous data analysis with deep community listening. County profiles, FCC and state datasets, and GIS mapping are paired with 23 key-informant interviews and 13 public listening sessions involving 112 participants. The findings are both sobering and precise: rural counties face clear infrastructure deficits; urban neighborhoods show persistent adoption gaps driven by price and device scarcity; and specific groups (older adults, non-English speakers, people with disabilities, and low-income families) encounter layered barriers that cannot be solved by infrastructure alone. In short, digital isolation varies by place and position, and policy must reflect that complexity.
Crucially, the report moves beyond diagnosis to an actionable, sequenced strategy. Highlights include: (1) naming local digital champions in each county to coordinate efforts; (2) expanding broadband infrastructure and prioritizing utility investments where gaps are largest; (3) affordability programs and enrollment drives for low-cost service; (4) device access initiatives via refurbishing, lending, and targeted distribution; (5) digital literacy campaigns and navigator models tailored to seniors, caregivers, and multilingual communities; (6) attention to emerging needs including cybersecurity, accessibility, telehealth, and workforce applications; and (7) a performance dashboard to track progress. The plan aligns with federal guidance and leverages libraries, schools, the NC Cooperative Extension, and local nonprofits, building capacity on existing assets rather than duplicating them.
Who should read this? County and municipal leaders, superintendents, library systems, healthcare networks, workforce boards, and funders seeking high-return, equity-minded investments. The full report (linked below) offers maps, county snapshots, stakeholder voices, and step-by-step implementation guidance you can take to your next budget meeting or board retreat.
Innovative Research Insights 