Mamacítas Cibernéticas highlight digital inclusion needs in southern Doña Ana County
A community group in southern Doña Ana County shared results of a digital literacy survey developed with support from Comcast.
Grassroots group shares findings from local survey supported by Comcast during National Digital Inclusion Week
Organ Mountain News report
DOÑA ANA COUNTY - A grassroots group in southern Doña Ana County is spotlighting digital access challenges faced by local families as part of National Digital Inclusion Week, sharing findings from a community survey conducted with support from Comcast.
Mamacítas Cibernéticas — a network of residents and partners working to improve digital literacy and access — designed the survey to better understand barriers to affordable, reliable internet service and technology skills across rural areas of the county. The group presented its findings and recommendations to the Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners earlier this year.
“Digital inclusion isn’t just about having internet service — it’s about making sure it’s usable, affordable and relevant to people’s lives,” said Maria Chaparro, a member of Mamacítas Cibernéticas. “We wanted to hear directly from residents about what they need to participate fully in today’s digital world.”
The survey project was supported through a grant and collaboration with Comcast, which also provided funding for a follow-up effort focused on implementing community recommendations. Based on the report’s findings, a local educator at Doña Ana Community College developed an English- and Spanish-language training course for Youth Digital Navigators, now being piloted at Santa Teresa High School in the Gadsden Independent School District.
Comcast External Affairs Manager Kyle Biederwolf said the company’s role was to help amplify the community’s expertise.
“The community is the best source to tell us about the barriers they face,” he said. “Our goal is to support that work and make sure residents have the tools to use technology effectively.”
The Mamacítas Cibernéticas findings and recommendations report is available here.
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