NSW working to improve digital access through new inclusion strategy

NSW Gov

The NSW Government is calling on local communities, industry, community organisations, and government agencies to help shape the state’s first Digital Inclusion Strategy, to be developed and delivered by NSW Telco Authority.

The development of a Digital Inclusion Strategy aims to address the digital divide in NSW to improve access to inclusive digital services, opportunities and resources.

With people at the centre of this strategy, local communities, industry and organisations are encouraged to actively participate in the broad consultation process, to be facilitated by a discussion paper, survey and an invitation for feedback via the Have Your Say website by 19 July 2024.

People living in regional, rural and remote areas, socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, gender diverse people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are known to experience lower levels of digital inclusion and creating a digital divide.

The digital divide impacts people’s access, affordability and engagement with digital technologies, services and online resources.

In the first stage of the consultation, community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the Digital Inclusion Strategy discussion paper.

Targeted stakeholder meetings, interviews and focus groups will also inform the strategy.

The development of the strategy, its initiatives, and an accompanying Action Plan will be spearheaded by the NSW Telco Authority, as part of the NSW Government’s overarching Connectivity Strategy, which aims to bridge the digital divide for communities with limited access to digital services.

To participate in the public consultation or to learn more, visit: NSW Digital Inclusion Strategy.

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