Fox Cities News

Three programs at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO) are collaborating to improve telecommunications access for low-income households, using funds from a recent grant. The UWO College of Nursing, the Sociology program, and the Whitburn Center for Governance and Public Research received a Lifeline Outreach Grant Program Award from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The award supports their UWO Digital Access Empowerment Initiative.

The project has been awarded $44,863 in grant funding, with an additional $27,916 provided as in-kind resources by UWO. The total investment amounts to $72,779.

“The primary objective of this initiative is to increase awareness and access to affordable telecommunication services for eligible low-income households,” said Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the UWO College of Nursing, Health Professions and STEM.

The Wisconsin Lifeline program works alongside the Federal Lifeline program to provide discounts on essential telecommunications services for eligible low-income households across the state. According to Chung, enrollment in 2024 was low—only about 20% of those eligible were participating.

To address this gap, UWO will design and develop a survey to identify barriers and possible solutions related to digital access. Research findings will inform a digital toolkit aimed at supporting outreach and education efforts.

Faculty leading this effort include Debbie Walrath from the College of Nursing; Sam Larson from the Whitburn Center; Juyeon Son and Paul Van Auken from Sociology. Students will be engaged in various aspects of the project through coursework or employment opportunities.

“As someone who grew up in a rural area, I’ve seen and felt the negative impacts of how communities suffer when access to technology lags behind,” said Samantha Larson.

Larson referenced data showing that communities with high broadband adoption experience much higher business growth rates than those with limited access. She cited studies by the Rural Broadband Association indicating that strong broadband adoption correlates with a 213% higher business growth rate compared to areas with less adoption (https://www.ntca.org/ruraliscool/newsroom/rural-broadband-facts).

“And when businesses increase, people follow,” Larson added, noting that reduced broadband access can lead to business closures and population decline.

Access to affordable telecommunications brings several benefits: it can boost employment rates by enabling remote work; help students participate in online learning; make telehealth more accessible; allow residents easier engagement with civic services; and support social connections important for mental health (https://broadbandnow.com/report/broadband-impact-on-economy/).

”In short, digital inclusion is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Walrath said. “Programs like Lifeline are foundational to closing the digital divide and ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has a fair shot at participating in modern society.”