Otis Ellis of the Shreveport Economic Recovery Task Force’s Digital Infrastructure Committee talks about the city's "digital divide" between rich and poor and the possible solutions, particularly in areas of educational distance-learning.

Ellis first talks about the group's survey, with a goal to assess Shreveport's citizens access to and us of internet services. Ellis says that the survey includes specific screening questions so you reach the right people are reached, targeting the survey to the proper demographics, including age, gender, job function, region, and more.

Ellis also talks about his definition of the Task Force's "digital divide."

"The digital divide is individuals who aren't able to afford or to access the internet for work and for educational purposes," he says, referring to the survey. "What we've learned during this time, especially with kids and the educational system, we've learned that they don't know how many of their students may or may not be connected to the internet. And as (everyone) is aware, internet has never been more important."

"So the partnership with the library system and Caddo Parish schools will give access to folks who don't have access to internet to respond."

Ellis adds that hard copy forms of the survey are available at all Shreve Memorial Library branches. For more details about the Shreveport Economic Recovery Task Force's Digital Infrastructure Committee's survey, or to take the survey on your internet service, usage, etc., yourself, JUST CLICK HERE!

 

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