Exploring Digital Equity in Austin

Children's Optimal Health received a competitive grant from Good Measure to look at digital access, including device, internet access and necessary skills needed for education, health care, and jobs especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will focus on people and families with lower incomes across the 5 county Austin MSA using mixed methods including surveys, focus groups and key informant interviews, as well as mapping pertinent data from the American Community Survey and other sources. The study will consider areas of concern related to disproportionality of internet access. To date over 300 surveys have been conducted as well as 4 Spanish language focus groups conducted in partnership with Austin Community College and Austin Voices for Education and Youth (AVEY). Project Partners also include Communities in Schools, E3 Alliance, United Way for a Greater Austin, Mission Capital, and MEASURE Austin.