A Recap of Suncoast Digital Connect: Webinar Series #2 —The Role of the Century: How Digital Navigators Prepare, Enable, and Enrich Communities in Our Modern World

The Digital Access for All (DA4A) team recently wrapped up its second Suncoast Digital Connect Webinar. What is the Webinar series again? 

This three-part webinar series was designed to maintain momentum and engagement in the lead-up to the Suncoast Connect: Innovating and Thriving in the Digital Age Symposium on Tuesday, March 11, and Wednesday, March 12, in Sarasota, Florida. 

In this 30-minute webinar, Maribel Martinez explored The Role of the Century: How Digital Navigators Prepare, Enable, and Enrich Communities in Our Modern World.

What Did We Learn?

• Who Are They? Digital Navigators are trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills. - NDIA

• The Evolution: Around 2014, the Digital Navigator model emerged in response to the need to raise awareness about the digital divide.  In 2020, Digital Navigators began playing an active, hands-on role in helping people access the internet, obtain devices, and develop digital skills. The digital divide received first-ever federal funding and support. Now, industries have coalesced around the issue, but the digital divide is actually widening.

• Opportunities to Strengthen Their Efforts: Opportunities include comprehensive community approaches, engaging philanthropy and local multi-sector partners, city/county/state/federal support, growing infrastructure investments and competition, and robust training and ongoing support that equip Digital Navigators.
  
  

Highlights from The Conversation

• Digital Literacy for All Ages: Maribel stressed the importance of digital literacy skills for people of all ages, not just older adults. Even young people and K-12 students lack the basic digital skills necessary for employment. Maribel advocated for having dedicated digital navigators available in various community settings, such as libraries and hospitals, to assist those struggling with technology. 

• Addressing AI and Digital Literacy: Maribel discussed the increasing prevalence of AI and its impacts, highlighting the need to educate the public on identifying reliable information and navigating AI technologies. She also emphasized the role of digital navigators in helping people safely consume and produce AI-generated content, both personally and professionally.
  
  

But why Are Digital Navigators important? Read this blog here. Statistics emphasize the need for digital access, especially digital skills, as our world becomes increasingly digitalized. For example: 

• One-third of people are not comfortable with a laptop or desktop computer

• 40% of people do not know how to search for/apply for jobs online

• 86% of all Black and Latino working-age adults could be shut out of higher wage-paying jobs by 2030 due to a lack of digital skills

Near the end of the webinar, the DA4A team gave a special shout to Digital Navigators in these organizations assisting those in need in the Suncoast region: Goodwill Manasota, Women's Resource Center, Easterseals SWFL, FUNducation Inc, Goodwill SWFL, CareerSource Suncoast, Multicultural Health Institute, and Joni Hansen and Carol Kranitz with The Patterson Foundation!