On March 11, 2025, the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission approved budget recommendations aimed at digital equity in Austin for FY 2026. These recommendations, derived from a recent Digital Equity Needs Assessment, highlight the needs of underserved populations, including lower-income households and nonnative English speakers. Findings emphasized issues like affordability of devices and digital literacy. The commission aims to use these insights to refine the city's 2014 digital inclusion strategic plan, ensuring continuous improvement in digital access and skills training.
"Cost and affordability was the top issue across conversations with survey respondents," said Reyda Taylor, a Travis County strategic adviser, describing findings from the assessment that surveyed nearly 1,400 residents. "Digital skills was also a top issue that came up over and over. Everything from folks not being able to or wanting to know more about how to navigate certain types of devices, certain types of websites..."
"While this report is a large milestone, I don't think that this is the end of the process by any means," said Jesse Rodriguez, program manager for Austin's community technology unit. "It's the intent of the city to use this report and the information in the report to refresh the 2014 digital inclusion strategic plan."
"Some items were sourced from specific recommendations in the assessment," said chair Steven Apodaca. The commission recommended allocating a minimum of $25,000 in FY 2026 funding for affordable devices, public internet access, and digital skills training.
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