Alliance for Digital Equality Statement on Joint Center Forum About Open Internet and the Effects of Regulation on Minority Communities

ATLANTA, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Julius H. Hollis, Chairman of The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), issued the following statement regarding yesterday's forum on Open Internet, Innovation, and Economic Development, hosted by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies:

"I am pleased to see the Joint Center providing a platform for thought leaders to discuss broadband regulation and encouraging thoughtful conversation about its effects on minority communities.  As we await the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan that will give every American broadband internet access, how policies will affect our minority and low-income communities is a critical piece that absolutely must be considered.

"Broadband is an empowering tool for minority communities that can open the door to unprecedented opportunity in the classroom, in the workplace, in the community and beyond.  When considering broadband policies it is important to ensure that access to that tool remain affordable and available for all Americans.  ADE's LearningWOW program is a prime example of how broadband can be a transformative and cost effective tool to empower students and families.  LearningWOW provides accessibility to over two hundred thousand underserved and un-served citizens. This program was developed based on a need that was evident in research conducted by ADE's Digital Empowerment Councils (DECs) in cities throughout the U.S.

"Last week the Joint Center's report found that 94 percent of African Americans and 98 percent of Hispanics who have college degrees are now online, and those college-educated minority Americans who make over $50,000 are adopting broadband at the fastest rate of any group in the country.  Despite the gains for more affluent minorities, the same report also noted lagging broadband adoption for lower-income, older and less educated African Americans and Hispanics – with only about a third of them or less regularly using the Internet.  This data points to the fact that affordable access and adoption need to be a key focus as we work to achieve broadband for all.

"I am confident that we can close the digital divide that exists today.  But we need to encourage private companies to invest in the infrastructure of this great network.  We need to encourage policies that will not push the empowering tool of broadband internet access out of the reach of those who can benefit from its use the most.  And, perhaps most importantly, we need to educate our communities about the need for digital literacy so that we can empower those who have not yet realized the benefits of broadband to adopt this great tool.  We have a long way to go, but it is critical that we get there."

About The Alliance for Digital Equality

The Alliance for Digital Equality (ADE), headquartered in Atlanta, GA is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that serves to facilitate and ensure equal access to technology in underserved and un-served communities.  The Alliance also serves as a bridge between policymakers and minority individuals in order to help the public understand how legislative and regulatory policies regarding new technologies can impact and empower their daily lives.  For more information on The Alliance for Digital Equality, please visit www.alliancefordigitalequality.org.

SOURCE Alliance for Digital Equality