The City of San Diego has been honored as a 2024 Visionary Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) for its SD Access 4 All program. As part of the City’s commitment to closing the digital divide that leaves tens of thousands of San Diegans without internet access, SD Access 4 All offers several services including public Wi-Fi at over 300 locations, hotspots available for check out at libraries, and free computer and internet skill-building classes.  

Another feature is the Digital Navigators, technology experts who provide multilingual services, including one-on-one tech support, affordable computer offerings, low-cost home internet and connection to essential online resources. Since the inception of the Digital Navigators program, they have helped make technology more accessible for more than 9,000 San Diegans. 

“We are proud of the work that the City of San Diego and our partners have done to increase digital equity through the SD Access 4 All program,” said Jonathan Behnke, Director of the City’s Department of Information Technology. “We are honored to be a 2024 Visionary Trailblazer.” 

This year, San Diego joins a record number of Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, with 60 total awardees representing municipal, county and regional governments paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the United States. 

“In the past decade, we’ve seen local governments step into the important role of building digital inclusion ecosystems, where organizations that provide services can connect and thrive,” said Angela Siefer, NDIA Executive Director. “NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers celebrates these critical efforts to bring digital opportunities to all residents.” 

NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers has set the national standard for excellent digital inclusion work since 2016. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions. 

Along with the SD Access 4 All Program, the City is moving further to ensure digital inclusion in San Diego with the creation of a new Broadband Master Plan, an initiative that aims to provide an analysis of current broadband access and make recommendations to increase access, adoption and affordability in identified locations. The primary goal of the Broadband Master Plan is to increase the availability and affordability of broadband in the City with a focus on underserved communities, low-income housing residents, and public-serving City facilities. The plan will also ensure that San Diego meets State of California standards for broadband speeds.  

The creation of the Broadband Master plan will position the City to coordinate, leverage and implement state and federal broadband infrastructure investments and policy, and identify how City and public resources can be used to increase broadband access and affordability. 

To find out more about San Diego’s Access 4 All program including a map of accessible Wi-Fi locations, visit sandiego.gov/sdaccess.