ReportWire

Tag: Computer Ownership

  • Digitunity Releases New Report that Finds 33 Million People in the U.S. Lack a Large-Screen Computer

    A Digitunity analysis of previously unpublished Census data reveals persistent disparities in computer ownership across age, race, ethnicity, education, and employment status and the gap continues to impact the ability to participate in today’s digital world.


    CONWAY, N.H., October 15, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Digitunity releases “Large-Screen Computer Ownership: A Call to Action,” an extensive analysis of previously unpublished, demographic-specific data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS). The report reveals that more than 33 million people in the United States either lack a computing device or rely exclusively on a smartphone for internet access.

    “This report is the first attempt I’m aware of to explore the lack of large-screen computer ownership across demographic characteristics. This level of detail is important for designing policies and programs that effectively reach the people who need them the most,” said Brian Whitacre, Ph.D., Professor and Jean & Patsy Neustadt Chair, Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University and report co-author.

    Even with progress in broadband expansion, one in seven U.S. households still lacks access to a large-screen computer, a vital tool for education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement. This new analysis uncovers stark disparities:

    Older adults are five times more likely than working-age adults to lack any type of computer. One in ten older adults relies exclusively on a smartphone to get online.

    About one in three adults without a high school diploma do not have access to a large-screen computer at home. One in five adults without a high school diploma relies solely on a smartphone to go online.

    One in four residents who identify as some other race and approximately one in six African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander residents, do not have a large-screen computer at home and rely exclusively on a smartphone to go online. That compares with 5.5% of Asian Americans and 8.5% of white residents.

    People outside the labor force are more than four times as likely to be without a computer compared to those who are employed.

    A household in Mississippi is three times more likely to lack a large-screen computer than a household in Utah.

    By examining this level of demographic detail, we move beyond averages to see who is most affected by the lack of computer ownership and where progress is being made. Ensuring everyone who needs a computer has one is achievable but it requires treating computer ownership as a shared responsibility and mobilizing government, philanthropy, business, and community organizations to close the gap.

    The data shows a clear link between income and computer access: households with lower incomes are far more likely to rely only on smartphones. These results suggest that affordability is a central barrier to computer access. Digitunity advocates for broader, coordinated solutions to increase computer ownership, including the development of sustainable computer ecosystems at the local, state, and national levels

    Download the report here.

    About Digitunity
    Digitunity is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding computer ownership and advancing digital equity, ensuring that everyone who needs a computer has one. For nearly 40 years, Digitunity has been promoting technology reuse and fostering community-driven deployment networks to reach underserved populations. Through a robust national network of practitioners and partnerships, Digitunity generates and distributes donated computers to organizations serving individuals in need and provides expert guidance to states, cities, and coalitions on strategies to address the ongoing computer needs of communities affected by the digital divide. Learn more at Digitunity.org.

    Contact Information

    Buse Kayar
    Media Contact
    busek@accessnewswire.com

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link

  • Digitunity and AT&T Launch Initiative to Scale Digital Navigator Services and Computer Ownership, Connecting Over 13,000 People Across 3 Rural States


    CONWAY, N.H., September 9, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Digitunity, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making computer ownership possible for everyone, announces a new project in collaboration with AT&T to expand digital navigator services. This project will reach approximately 13,200 people in rural communities nationwide.

    Supported by $725,000 from AT&T, this 12-month effort will equip local organizations in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana with essential resources so residents can benefit from technology opportunities: computers, digital skills training, and support for affordable internet access.

    Digitunity identified a need for this project in its work across the country. “Digital navigators,” individuals trained to provide support and wayfinding to community members seeking computer access, internet access, and digital skills training, are only as effective as the resources available to them. By bundling essential tools and support, this project will strengthen not only established digital inclusion programs but also activate a broad range of trusted community organizations, such as veterans’ services, healthcare providers, and adult education centers, to meet the technology needs of the people they serve.

    In addition to expanding computer ownership, digital skills, and affordable connectivity, the project will integrate siloed efforts into a cohesive, holistic approach, ultimately improving the effectiveness of digital navigation, with replicability and scalability in mind.

    “Digital navigators play a crucial role in eliminating the digital divide,” said Scot Henley, Executive Director of Digitunity. “Through AT&T’s generous support, we will provide these trusted local partners with robust resources for how their clients can obtain computers, digital skills training, and affordable connectivity. This work is about shaping and strengthening the systems rural communities need for lasting digital opportunity, while also supporting individual success.”

    This collaboration is part of AT&T’s ongoing $5 billion commitment to narrow the digital divide by 2030. The project’s approach, which leverages community networks to reach people at scale, aims to strengthen the digital navigator and digital skills training model and build sustainable systems for computer ownership.

    “At AT&T, we believe that access to technology and digital skills is essential for unlocking opportunity in every community,” said Mylayna Albright, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, AT&T. “By collaborating with Digitunity on this initiative, we’re helping to empower thousands of people in rural areas with the tools, training, and support they need to participate fully in today’s digital world, ensuring that more families can connect, learn, and thrive-no matter where they live.”

    The initiative will focus particular attention on Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, where the need for computers is exceptionally high. According to 2023 U.S. Census data, nearly a quarter of all households in these states do not have a desktop or laptop computer, or they rely on smartphones alone for essential tasks like education, healthcare, and employment.

    Between September 2025 and August 2026, the project aims to:

    • Deliver Digital Skills Training: 10,500 people will participate in AT&T’s digital literacy courses, developed in collaboration with the Public Library Association, and use AT&T’s ScreenReady tools and courses hosted by local nonprofit and community organizations.

    • Place Essential Technology: 2,500 donated and refurbished computers, sourced through Digitunity’s national network, will be distributed to individuals and families in need.

    • Support Community Navigators: 200 digital navigators will receive training and resource kits to help them connect people with computers, skills, and affordable internet.

    About Digitunity

    Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization making computer ownership possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has worked to close the digital divide in the United States by shaping and strengthening systems that enable computer ownership.

    Digitunity sources and places computers with a network of over 1,600 community-based organizations, supports digital skills programs, and provides strategic advisory services to states and cities. With one in seven U.S. households lacking a computer at home, this national-local approach mobilizes resources, influences policy, and builds durable solutions that expand opportunities, participation, and economic mobility. Learn more at digitunity.org.

    About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

    At AT&T, our corporate responsibility work is dedicated to bridging the digital divide across the country. We are committed to providing people of all ages and from every community with the essential resources they need to thrive in the digital era. For generations, we have supported programs that impact millions of individuals nationwide, and since 2021, we have committed $5 billion to initiatives that enhance connectivity, promote digital literacy, and improve access to high-speed internet. Our efforts particularly focus on uplifting underserved communities, including students, older adults, and those on tribal lands, ensuring everyone can participate in the digital world and benefit from its opportunities. 

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link

  • New Report Offers Roadmap for Building Sustainable Computer Ownership in Rural America


    NORTH CONWAY, N.H., August 12, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Digitunity, in collaboration with Brian Whitacre, Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University, and AT&T, has released a new report, Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America: Key Takeaways and Actionable Strategies. Based on a 15-month initiative in Mississippi and Arizona, the report provides practical recommendations on how to increase computer ownership and digital skills in rural communities.

    Computer Ownership Is a Challenge in Rural Communities

    One in seven households still lacks access to a large-screen computer in the United States, and the gap is even wider in rural areas, where many households rely solely on smartphones, while others lack any computers at all. In the absence of access, there are limited opportunities for education, employment, health care, and community engagement.

    Key Findings and Solutions

    The report documents the unique barriers rural communities face, including limited local resources for device supply, refurbishment, and deployment. It provides 20 actionable takeaways, including:

    • Building partnerships with trusted local organizations to understand community needs

    • Creating sustainable systems for computer donation and deployment

    • Formalizing device distribution practices and digital skills training

    • Leveraging field catalyst organizations to connect rural communities with national partners, donors, and resources

    Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America includes case studies from Mississippi and Arizona. These reports present detailed survey data, best practices, and recommendations for stakeholders seeking to expand digital opportunities in rural America.

    Collaboration and Impact

    Digitunity led the project, collaborating with AT&T, Oklahoma State University, Chicanos Por La Causa, Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology (AZStRUT), and the Mississippi Broadband Association, among other partners. The initiative led to the deployment of hundreds of computers, digital skills workshops, and the development of tools and templates now available to rural communities nationwide.

    “Our goal is to shape and strengthen systems to make computer ownership possible for everyone, no matter where they live,” said Karisa Tashjian, Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Digitunity. “This report offers practical guidance and real-world examples for communities demonstrating that lasting solutions are possible.”

    Download the Report

    The full report, Supportive and Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems for Rural America: Key Takeaways and Actionable Strategies, is available for download here.

    About Digitunity:
    Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has been engaged in the work of shaping and strengthening systems to address computer ownership among those impacted by the digital divide. Through generating and placing donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supporting a national practitioner network, and providing strategic advisory support to states and cities, Digitunity works to create sustainable solutions that make computer ownership possible for all.

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link

  • Digitunity Releases New Maps Showing Gaps in Computer Ownership Across the U.S.

    2023 Census Data Analysis Reveals 1 in 7 Households Still Without Reliable Device Access


    NORTH CONWAY, N.H., May 13, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    A newly released set of interactive maps from Digitunity paints a clearer picture of how many households in the United States do not own a large-screen computer. The maps, derived from 2023 American Community Survey data, give a state-level view of how digital device gaps continue to affect people across the country.

    The analysis finds that over 18 million households rely solely on smartphones for internet connectivity or do not own a computer, affecting roughly 33.2 million people in total. Collectively, these statistics make up the number of households without access to large screen computers. Nearly one in four households in places like Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Louisiana do not have access to a large screen computer, creating the need for local, targeted solutions that open up reliable digital access to healthcare, education, job opportunities, and connections. In Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, nearly 1 in 5 households faced similar challenges. Puerto Rico has the greatest need for devices in the nation, with 40% of households relying solely on a smartphone to go online or not having access to any type of computing device.

    The digital divide is narrowest in Colorado, Idaho, New Hampshire, Utah, and Washington, where fewer than 10% of households do not have access to a large screen computer.

    Using Census data and research-based calculations, these maps show how the digital divide differs between states. Users can hover over states to see how many households lack computers or only use smartphones for connectivity and view the percentage of households in each state without large screen computers.

    Designed to help local leaders, policymakers, and organizations identify where intervention is most needed and where they can make a significant impact, this resource is part of Digitunity’s broader initiative to shift the systems that make computer ownership possible for everyone.

    Explore the maps and dig into the data at https://digitunity.org/digital-device-gap-map/

    About Digitunity:

    Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has been engaged in the work of shaping and strengthening systems to address computer ownership among those impacted by the digital divide. Through generating and placing donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supporting a national practitioner network, and providing strategic advisory support to states and cities, Digitunity works to create sustainable solutions that make computer ownership possible for all.

    Contact Information

    Maria Penaloza
    maria.penaloza@newswire.com

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link

  • New Case Study Highlights Barriers to Computer Ownership in Rural Arizona and Community-Based Pathways Forward


    NORTH CONWAY, N.H., May 1, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Digitunity, a national nonprofit advancing digital opportunity through computer ownership, has released a new case study detailing the urgent need for personal computers in rural Arizona and the steps local communities are taking to address it.

    Developed in partnership with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) and supported by AT&T, the case study captures findings from recent focus groups, data analysis, and a 200-computer distribution initiative across San Luis and Miami, Arizona. The report surfaces systemic challenges to computer ownership, including limited access points, affordability, and gaps in digital skills, and demonstrates the impact of community-informed solutions grounded in trust, local leadership, and practical infrastructure. The case study captures project activities through January 2025.

    Across Arizona, 342,248 households (11.7% of all households) do not own a large-screen computer. Without one, families have limited access to digital opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, and civic life.

    In towns including Miami, Nogales, San Luis, and Superior, nearly one in three households lack a large-screen computer. The need is particularly acute among older adults and families in low-income and multilingual communities. Focus group participants shared their experiences navigating limited library hours for computer access, slow or unreliable internet service, and the need for ongoing digital skills training and support.

    This case study draws on insights that Digitunity has gained from its broader rural work, and is intended to offer a deeper understanding of how to design solutions that enable long-term computer ownership.

    Read the complete case study

    About Digitunity:
    Digitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has been engaged in the work of shaping and strengthening systems to address computer ownership among those impacted by the digital divide. Through generating and placing donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supporting a national practitioner network, and providing strategic advisory support to states and cities, Digitunity works to create sustainable solutions that make computer ownership possible for all.

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link

  • New Report Commissioned by Digitunity Offers Essential Guide for Nonprofits Engaging in Digital Equity Evaluation

    Based on real-world experience of 22 organizations, the study provides insights and tools for engaging stakeholders and securing funding. 


    NORTH CONWAY, N.H., November 13, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Digitunity has published a new report, “A Simple Guide for Conducting Nonprofit Evaluation for the Digital Equity Community,” providing nonprofits with practical, easily implemented strategies for data collection and evaluation. The guide is specifically designed to support organizations serving underserved populations through digital equity initiatives. 

    As federal funding alters the landscape of digital equity and expectations for demonstrating program impact growth, this report comes at a pivotal moment. The need for evidence-based approaches to digital equity programs has never been more urgent, and the report addresses key challenges many nonprofits face in gathering and utilizing evaluation data. The report, commissioned by Digitunity and co-authored by Associate Professor Dr. Amy Gonzales, of the University of California Santa Barbara, PhD, Jesse King, Yeweon Kim, Laurent Wang, and Lindsay Miller, draws on interviews with 22 nonprofits actively involved in digital equity work, offers actionable insights and tools for engaging stakeholders, protecting client privacy, and using data to build trust and secure funding. 

    “This guide supports nonprofit organizations in effectively measuring and showcasing their impact in digital equity efforts,” said Karisa Tashjian, Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Digitunity. “Evaluation is vital for learning about what’s working, identifying areas for improvement, and making adjustments to maximize impact.”

    The evaluation guide features real-world best practices, a condensed list of social science research techniques, and resources like worksheets to help nonprofits design evaluation strategies tailored to their specific needs. By using this guide, nonprofits can strengthen relationships with funders, partners, and clients through compelling storytelling backed by data. 

    Download the full report now to enhance your nonprofit’s evaluation efforts and support your digital equity initiatives. 

    About Digitunity:
    Digitunity is a national nonprofit whose mission is to help expand computer ownership for all. It has worked to advance digital equity for nearly 40 years. Digitunity generates and places donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supports a national practitioner network, and advises states, cities, and coalitions on strategies to meet the ongoing device needs of people impacted by the digital divide. To learn more, visit Digitunity.org.

    Source: Digitunity

    Source link