One of the fastest ways for children to get left behind in an academic setting these days is lack of access to technology. It can be nearly impossible for them to keep up with the rigors of modern education without a computer or, in some cases, an internet connection.
Dave Sevick has been trying to help solve the growing digital divide since 2001 through his Wilkinsburg-based nonprofit Computer Reach. What started as him recycling and refurbishing used Apple computers in his garage has now evolved into a digital literacy organization that also provides technical support for individuals and families in need. Since 2014, Computer Reach has operated under the tagline “digital literacy for all.”
Computer Reach also has continued to fix donated computers and other devices that they distribute to Western Pennsylvanians on the wrong side of the digital divide. In early February, the nonprofit announced that it had been selected by AT&T and national nonprofit Digitunity to participate in a 10-city project that will provide more than 2,000 students and families in the Pittsburgh region with refurbished devices and other technical resources.
“It speaks well to the work that these people on the ground are already doing,” said Jim Penna, the regional director of AT&T External Affairs in Western Pennsylvania. “You have to be selective with your partners, and we think these are great ones.”
This initiative kicked off in October and will run through July 31, 2023. The other cities in which AT&T and Digitunity chose organizations with which to partner on this project include Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, Milwaukee, New York City, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The 10-city initiative is part of AT&T’s $2 billion commitment to working toward bridging the digital divide over the next three years through efforts like this that increase access to affordable technology. Western Pennsylvanians who receive restored devices, technical support and/or digital learning training from Computer Reach will do so either for free or a low cost.
Mr. Sevick said that Computer Reach usually refurbishes about 3,300 computers a year and is generally focused on making sure adults have the devices they require. Being selected to be a part of such a concentrated effort to aid K-12 students was an honor for Mr. Sevick and a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly.
“We’re so happy that we’re getting donated computers and we’re going to do the best that we can,” he said.
Digitunity was started in 1984 with the goal of eliminating the technology gap. Its Digital Opportunity Network now consists of about 1,500 nonprofits also dedicated to that cause, according to Karisa Tashjian, Digitunity’s director of programs.
Ms. Tashjian assured Western Pennsylvanians that all the devices Computer Reach is giving out will be “of the highest quality.” She said that the 10-city project is designed to serve “under-deviced” households with technology that comes with the necessary support system to ensure kids have what they need for their studies.
“We’re changing the culture of ‘refurbished’ being second-class,” Ms. Tashjian said. “It’s not, and sometimes we’re educating people about that.”
Mr. Penna said a lack of access to both computers and internet service itself has been a big problem in Western Pennsylvania for a while now, especially in more rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic “put a magnifying glass on the urgency of the issue,” he said, particularly for folks who were forced to adopt broadband and broadband-connected devices when they suddenly had to work from home.
Gov. Tom Wolf has taken notice of the growing digital divide, as evidenced by him recently establishing the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority to manage at least $100 million in federal aid to help increase access to broadband connectivity across the commonwealth.
“Broadband is as essential today as electricity and water,” Gov. Wolf said in a press release. “But there is a digital divide in Pennsylvania. This broadband authority will close the divide and ensure consistent, affordable, quality statewide broadband to keep children learning, businesses growing and opportunities abounding for all Pennsylvanians.”
Mr. Sevick said that while connectivity is still a major concern, the bigger issue is generally the affordability of internet and the devices needed to use it. That’s one of the reasons he had Computer Reach institute a lottery program where up to 16 Pittsburghers a week have the opportunity to win a computer bundle that includes a desktop computer, desktop monitor, mouse, keyboard and cords.
If all goes well, Digitunity will collect enough data from the 10-city project to replicate it elsewhere, Ms. Tashjian said. For now, her organization is focused on “just bringing additional resources and coordination” for Computer Reach’s efforts to supply Western Pennsylvanians with the resources and support they need.
She urged those without easy access to internet, devices or technical support to make sure organizations such as Digtunity know what they’re going through.
“Keep your voices loud and forceful about what your needs are,” she said. “We’re listening, and we want to know and make solutions that will work for the long-term.”
As someone who has immersed himself in the Pittsburgh area, Mr. Penna knows that this community is good at lifting up its own. He hopes Western Pennsylvanians apply that sense of civic pride to closing the digital divide.
“I think one of the great things that has come out of Pittsburgh as it has been rolling around this tech track is that its old-school ability to solve problems hasn’t gone way,” he said. “Those who think they have any ideas on how to tackle these problems, I would ask them to invest some of that brainpower on how to make this better.”
Joshua Axelrod: jaxelrod@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jaxelburgh.
First Published: February 20, 2022, 11:30 a.m.
