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Digital Lift outlines statewide device distributions and multilingual digital‑skills training
Summary
Digital Lift detailed a 3‑year partnership to deliver 750 devices in Texas (500 delivered so far), multilingual curricula and trainer training; commissioners discussed how partner capacity building can improve service delivery and outreach for underserved residents.
Cammy, executive director of Digital Lift, and Skye Downing, the organization’s deputy director, briefed the Technology Commission on the nonprofit’s digital‑inclusion work in Texas and beyond.
Digital Lift described a 3‑year partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to deploy 750 devices in Texas (500 delivered to date; 250 scheduled for 2026). The presenters said the organization provides multilingual curricula (materials and in‑house support in up to 10 languages), a train‑the‑trainer program and digital navigator services that have enrolled nearly 500 unique trainees and delivered more than 1,300 hours of basic‑skills instruction to 521 learners during the current grant period. The nonprofit also cited a new award from the Brimley Foundation to expand training in the Texas Panhandle.
Presenters described sector‑specific modules for libraries, aging services, health care and public‑benefits navigators and said they provide free resources (Digital Equity 101 e‑book, Digital Navigator overview course and multilingual curricula) and regular webinars. Commissioners asked about trends in digital‑skills demand and whether partner organizations improved their own client services after receiving Digital Lift training; presenters said partners have used training to streamline intake and deliver services more efficiently.
Quote: "We truly believe in meeting people where they are at," Cammy said, summarizing the organization’s approach to capacity building.
The commission encouraged Digital Lift to continue expanding partnerships and recommended coordinating on town‑hall outreach and translation services for the Feb. 7 listening session.
