Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Seeks Public Input On Digital Inclusion Survey

Information gathered will help inform planning efforts for economic development purposes, and improve the region's quality of life. 

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(Undated) - The Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission is looking for public input on a Digital Inclusion survey from citizens who reside within our 9 county region, including Dearborn, Decatur, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley, Shelby and Switzerland counties. 

In partnership with the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD), SIRPC is working to develop a regional digital inclusion plan. Information gathered from the survey, linked below, will help inform planning efforts for economic development purposes, and improve the region's quality of life. 

Digital Inclusion Survey: https://pcrd.purdue.edu/sirpc

Digital readiness defines the needs that lie beyond the infrastructure of broadband coverage.  Affordability of service, access to devices, and digital literacy are some of the critical elements to be addressed as we work to breach the digital divide within our communities.

As PCRD Director, Dr. Roberto Gallardo explains, “The key question to answer today is if your community is digital inclusive.”

“Not being digital inclusive impacts economic development, community development, and quality of life,” Dr. Gallardo says. “‘Digital inclusive looks at the online presence of organizations, digital literacy/skills of students, workers, and residents, and adequate and reliable devices to ensure the region can participate fully in this rapidly evolving digital age.”

As the role of digital technology in people’s daily lives continues to grow, SIRPC wants to make sure the region is benefiting from the opportunities than come with this change. To do so, residents need the necessary skills to participate in this digital world. 

The purpose of the survey is to help gauge where the residents of Southeastern Indiana stand in regard to digital skills. 

If you are a citizen of one of the aforementioned counties within the SIRPC area, please take the Digital Inclusion survey (no more than 7 minutes to complete).

For questions, please contact Hannah Garnett or Susan Craig of SIRPC: Hannah.garnett@sirpc.org ; Susan.craig@sirpc.org.