Client story County Leads the Charge in Digital Equity for 4 Million+ Citizens
By Insight Editor / 7 Sep 2024 / Topics: Devices Deployment
Client
A large U.S. county serving more than 4 million residents partnered with Insight and Apple to expand digital equity.
Industry: State and local government
Challenge
The county needed to bridge technology gaps and improve access for underserved communities.
Outcomes
Rapidly deployed over 3,500 iPad devices while strategically allocating grant funds to improve access to technology for underserved communities and support millions of citizens with modern tools.
Solutions: Devices, Procurement integration, and Apple
The vision: Empower millions of citizens with a far-reaching digital access program.
One of the largest counties in the U.S. is on an ambitious mission to bridge the gap in digital inclusion. Working in partnership with Insight, the county provided a grant to the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration (IDIA) with one goal: to improve technology access for underserved communities across the state.
From digital literacy to internet safety and at-scale technology deployment, the county is pulling several levers with the help of Insight to make their program vision a reality.
We’re equipping individuals and families with the tools to prepare for the future — supporting their full participation in all aspects of modern life."
Erin Carr-Jordan
Ph.D., President/CEO, Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration
Empowering communities: A multilayered plan
The county’s digital inclusion initiative provides free access to devices, workshops, and support, promoting tech literacy and safe online practices for community members:
- Seamless experiences with iPad: Leaning on strategic multisite deployment expertise, the county is rolling out 3,500+ iPad® devices and counting.
- Digital Navigators: Dedicated tech-savvy guides provide personalized assistance to the community, improving digital confidence and troubleshooting challenges.
- More technology options: To help community members experience the latest technology, the program also provides access to equipment such as VR goggles, 3D printers, and more.
- Internet safety education: Ongoing education helps the public keep a pulse on how the internet is evolving and how to navigate their digital world safely.
- Workshops that cultivate innovation: Creative digital skills are taught to the community — from building an app to launching a podcast.
Technology hives: Powering access
Insight and IDIA are partnering to build “hives” across the community, comprised of iMac®, iPad, and Apple TV® devices, as well as MacBook Air® laptops. Scott Friedlander, senior vice president of Insight Public Sector, shares the impact of this collaboration: “Insight Public Sector is proud to team up with IDIA to advance digital equity via worldclass devices and technology from Apple, one of our core partners. It is rewarding to see our logistics and capabilities being utilized by IDIA and Apple to provide thousands of devices to underserved communities.”
What’s next?
The future looks bright for the county. The new initiative is building the groundwork for additional technology use cases — from telemedicine devices to support for tribal nations.
Erin Carr-Jordan, president and CEO of IDIA, reflects on the vision and partnership with Insight: “Partnering with Insight is a transformative step towards digital inclusion in our communities. By focusing on technology as a catalyst to address gaps in connectivity, digital skills, and access to healthcare, we meet immediate needs and provide a foundation for continuous growth and adaptation.”
Insight Public Sector is excited, honored, and committed to supporting our mission-focused public sector clients promoting digital equity in underserved communities. We feel great pride in delivering these vital projects from our corporate headquarters in Arizona.”
Scott Friedlander
Senior Vice President, Insight Public Sector
Tackle digital inequity with reliable technology. Insight’s strategic partnerships with thousands of hardware, software, and cloud partners help you drive outcomes.
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple TV, iMac, iPad, and Macbook Air are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
