How the COVS Act Could Help Bridge the Digital Divide

The Digital Divide, also referred to as the digital gap, signifies the disparity between those who have an internet-connected computer with the skills to use it, and those who do not. The principle barriers to closing this gap include: access to devices, affordability of devices, digital literacy, and access to broadband internet. The Digital Divide currently affects at least 21 million Americans without broadband and 11% percent of U.S. households without computers .

A recently introduced bill known as H.R.7566, also cited as the Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2020 (COVS Act), aims to “allow the Administrator of the General Services Administration to transfer certain surplus computers and technology equipment to nonprofit computer refurbishers for repair and distribution, and for other purposes.” According to Cristina Network, if enacted, the COVS Act could help Bridge the Digital Divide in the U.S. by providing up to 300,000 federal computers to individuals in need each year.

If the COVS Act is passed, it would mean that federal agencies could directly transfer surplus computers and related technology to nonprofit refurbishers for distribution to schools, veterans, seniors, and other populations in need. It would also ensure that digital literacy training would be made available to those vulnerable populations.

As a nonprofit refurbisher working to Bridge the Digital Divide, InterConnection supports the Computers for Veterans and Students Act of 2020. We believe that the nonprofits currently working to provide access to technology, internet, and digital literacy training are best equipped to support the populations identified in this bill through improved access and technical support. The COVS Act is a common-sense solution to help when the need for low-cost devices is overwhelmingly apparent.

Please ask your U.S. Representative to support the ‘Computers for Veterans and Students Act’ (COVS Act) and redirect federal surplus/retired computers to nonprofit refurbishers, like InterConnection, for distribution to those in need.

Find your U.S representative here.

Find email templates urging your representative to support the COVS Act here.