Broadband Access and Digital Skills Case Studies Project

Access to broadband is increasingly critical for modern life, prompting significant federal investments such as the BEAD Program; however, true digital equity requires moving beyond infrastructure to focus on adoption, skills, and application, which are directly linked to improved household outcomes. Land-grant institutions and the Cooperative Extension Service are vital players in this arena, bridging gaps through community partnerships and technical assistance. To coordinate and advance these efforts, the National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET) developed the “Digital Access Continuum,” a five-stage framework that helps define the Extension’s evolving role in guiding users from basic awareness of broadband resources to utilizing technology for a better quality of life