Gonzales: Let’s show Texas that our region participates in closing the digital divide

Dear Friends,

Millions of Texas households lack broadband access. Many Texans cannot attend online classes, use telemedicine, fill out a job application online, or access online marketplaces. These barriers negatively affect the quality of life and limit economic opportunities for Texans and the State overall.

I have been asked to serve on the Connect Texas Regional Working Group and spread the word that the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is developing the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan for achieving reliable and affordable broadband, device access, digital skills training, and cybersecurity awareness to expand digital opportunities for all Texans.

BDO wants to hear from you. Please tell the BDO what your experience is with broadband internet accessibility, affordability, and adoption by completing this short Digital Opportunity Public Survey.

The survey includes an optional speed test and is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese, and is audio-enabled to ensure folks with limited literacy, limited English proficiency and visual impairments can hear the survey questions and answers. It is anonymous and questions are optional unless specified otherwise. Personally identifiable information is not asked for and the BDO collects demographic information so that it can assure all neighborhoods and demographic groups will be represented.

Let’s show the State of Texas that our community participates in closing the digital divide in Texas!

Thank you for your participation.

Editor’s Note: The above guest commentary was penned by Veronica Gonzales, senior vice president for governmental and community relations at UT-Rio Grande Valley. Gonzales is also a member of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council board of directors and recently she asked all of her colleagues on the board to spread the word about the BDO survey.

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