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Huntsville BUSINESS JOURNAL
NONPROFITS
Huntsville Native Named NTEN Digital Inclusion Fellow Just by mere circumstance, the global pandemic illuminated the need for digital inclusion here in the United States. It’s an issue that can no longer be ignored or overlooked. Google Fiber and NTEN recently announced the seventh cohort of 2021 Digital Inclusion Fellows. Since 2015, 75 Fellows have been selected to help to bridge the technology gap in their respective communities. Brittany Wachter, a Huntsville native, was among the 11 fellows selected for 2021. Wachter is the asset manager at Neighborhood Concepts, a local nonprofit dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods through affordable housing and economic opportunities. NTEN is a membership organization of nonprofit professionals who put technology to use for their causes. This fellowship helps nonprofits reach their communities online, empowering them to meet their social, economic, and civic needs. As a newly minted fellow, Wachter will create, implement, and manage a project aimed to promote digital literacy and inclusion. “I will carry this principle into my digital inclusion project, because I believe communities must have digital literacy to be self-sufficient,” said Wachter. “I hope to teach and inspire others not only about technical and digital skills, but also to bring awareness that digital divides do exist even in high tech communities such as Huntsville and to encourage individuals who share a common goal
of digital inclusion to come together to continue this work.” Although the United States is considered by many to be a hightech land o’ plenty, there still remains glaring disparities with regards to digital access. If anything, COVID-19 beamed a spotlight on these inequalities, especially when it came to remote work and learning. For many, the online world is overwhelming. Although most people have cellphones, many websites don’t behave the same way when accessed from a cellphone, even with dedicated Wi-Fi. Then, for some, there are skill deficits, such as the ability to use the Internet for research, apply for a job, or fill out a college application. The digital divide is especially evident in at-risk or economically challenged communities. This often begins with something as simple as reliable Internet access. Sometimes,
this lack of access is due to geography. However, in many cases, it’s due to budgetary constraints. Laptops or computers are the kind of technology that can be costly for those who are on a limited income. After NTEN saw the work that NCI does for the Huntsville
By Lori J. Connors / Photos by Steve Babin community, they reached out to Executive Director Mary Ellen Judah. Judah saw this as a great opportunity to further NCI’s mission in strengthening communities by providing activities that boost the economic condition of underserved populations. She suggested that Wachter apply. NCI has already taken some initial steps to bridge the digital divide, such as providing computer labs in the clubhouses of the NCI properties, as well as free Wi-Fi access. In addition, NCI has partnered with local financial institutions in providing classes in digital literacy and fraud prevention. The fellowship will be Wachter’s first role in digital literacy. “One of my duties as asset manager is to develop services for the residents of our Huntsville communities,” said Wachter. “And I felt this fit nicely within our goals and objectives for our resident service program.” u
