A digital divide exists in the Pittsburgh area with thousands of residents lacking the digital resources to engage in online learning.
But now, the national non-profit organization Digitunity is teaming up with AT&T to provide free or low-cost computers, digital literacy training and technical support to residents, including needy students, over the next two years.
They’ve chosen to partner with Computer Reach, an organization that makes technology available to people most in need through refurbished equipment, computer literacy, training and support. Computer Reach was selected as part of a 10-city project to make more than 2,000 refurbished computers available to students and families.
In the last three months, 146 families in the Greater Pittsburgh area have received a donated computer from Computer Reach through this project.
“We are proud to be working with AT&T and Digitunity to help tackle the digital divide head-on in the neighborhoods around Pittsburgh and throughout Western Pennsylvania,” said Dave Sevick, Computer Reach executive director.
“Throughout our collaboration with AT&T, we will provide much-needed computers, hands-on digital literacy classes and in-home digital navigator services to help make a measurable difference in the lives of people most in need in our community.”
The project is part of a $2 billion investment by AT&T to bridge the digital divide between 2021 and 2024.
“Our commitment to narrowing the digital divide includes ensuring that learners have both the connectivity and devices critical to success,” said James Penna, AT&T regional director for external affairs in Western Pennsylvania.
“Through our work with Digitunity and Computer Reach, we will be able to help thousands of underserved students and their families in the Pittsburgh area get access to free computers and training resources that are vital for online learning success.”
Digitunity director of programs Karisa Tashjian said nonprofit technology refurbishers are critical players in their communities.
“Device ownership is foundational to digital equity, and technology reuse is a direct and logical answer to the pervasive challenge of the technology gap,” she said.
For more information, go to https://links.digitunity.org/10-city-contact-us.
Paul Guggenheimer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at 724-226-7706 or [email protected].
