Technology & Telecommunications
Community Spotlight: Bridging the Digital Divide for AAPI Communities
By Nicole Morgenstern
It is clearer than ever that internet access and digital literacy skills are crucial to fully participate in today’s society. From accessing healthcare and job opportunities to building movements and lifelong connections, internet access is an essential utility that all Americans need.
As the demand for the internet continues to grow, the digital divide continues to affect Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
AAPIs across the U.S. are demanding greater access to more reliable and affordable internet and digital literacy classes. While several AAPI organizations have piloted digital skills training programs, a lack of adequate resources including funding, proper software and hardware, and limited staff time can hinder the growth of these programs.
To support the great work that community organizations are already doing, Advancing Justice — AAJC partnered with Google.org to distribute $50,000 each to five community organizations working to bridge the digital divide. The organizations selected are — Arab American Association of New York, Asian Counseling & Referral Service, Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan, Boat People SOS — Houston, and the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging. These organizations were selected based on their history of working with and their commitment to providing digital skills and workforce development programs to the AAPI community.
When the organizations launched their programs in 2023, the demand from the AAPI community was resounding. Several programs reported that they filled up their classes quickly, while others reported that there were fielding requests to expand their curriculum.
Though some studies on the digital divide suggest that the AAPI community is well connected, the high participation rates in these classes have shown that there is not only a need for greater internet access within the AAPI community, but also a high demand for digital skills training.
These classes were designed to address the needs of their respective communities and meet students at their current skill level. This means that some of the classes had to start with teaching students how to operate a computer whereas others were able to start with teaching students how to use Google Suites and Microsoft office.
Many of the programs were launched as hybrid classes allowing flexibility for students to participate online or in-person. The students were also able to access 1:1 support through having volunteers ready to answer questions during class or by having lab days where students could come in for additional support. Classes were also offered in a linguistically accessible environment, with one of the classes offering instruction in Chinese to meet the needs of their elderly Chinese students with limited English proficiency (LEP). While the instruction and curriculum in each program varied based on the needs of that community, each of these classes was designed to provide students with critical digital literacy skills that they can use in all areas of their lives.
In addition to the digital literacy training, the programs also included workforce development classes. These classes provided students with mentorship opportunities, resume workshops, mock interviews, and job-searching skills. One of the programs offered students the opportunity to participate in additional workplace training where they could work as an office assistant for 20+ hours a week and implement the skills learned in their digital literacy class.
At the time of National Asian Pacific Center on Aging’s (NAPCA) graduation ceremony, one of their students had already been hired by a local company due to the digital skills they developed as a participant in this program.
The success of these programs and the high demand for these classes to not only continue but to expand their curriculum goes to show that AAPI communities across the U.S. need access to both digital literacy training and reliable high-speed. From elders to youth to AAPIs living in rural communities and urban environments, there continues to be a need for digital skills and workforce development programming. Communities across the U.S. understand that internet access is no longer an option, but an essential utility needed to fully engage in today’s society. Bridging the digital divide is foundational to ensuring that all communities can succeed and thrive in all aspects of life.
Nicole Morgenstern is the Telecommunications, Technology, and Media Policy Associate Manager at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.
Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Telecommunications and Technology helps our diverse Asian American communities reap the benefits of technology while also protecting them from its potential harms.
