Protect Affordable Internet Access for Hoosiers 50+
Protect Affordable Internet Access for Hoosiers 50+ The Chicago Cusader
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Connecting Lower Income Hoosiers to the Internet: The Affordable Connectivity Program
Introduction
Access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is essential for the well-being and economic participation of lower income Hoosiers. However, many older Hoosiers face barriers in accessing the internet and risk missing out on important opportunities and services. The lack of accessible and affordable high-speed internet also contributes to their isolation.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
AARP has advocated for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program aimed at eliminating financial barriers to high-speed internet access. The ACP offers internet discounts of up to $30 per month for qualifying households, with higher discounts of up to $75 for those living on tribal lands. Currently, approximately 426,000 Indiana households, of which nearly 40 percent are age 50+, receive a discount on their internet bill through the ACP.
Threats to the ACP
Unfortunately, the ACP is now at risk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and internet service providers have begun to wind down the program by contacting enrollees. Without immediate action from Congress to continue funding for the ACP, it will run out of funding in April 2024. This means that current enrollees will no longer receive a discount on their internet bill.
Impact on Hoosiers
Time is running out to protect hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers from losing their internet access. The discontinuation of the ACP would result in lower income residents losing their internet access, cutting them off from job opportunities, medical appointments, and social connections. This would have a significant negative impact on their quality of life and well-being.
Call to Action
AARP is urging Congress to support bipartisan bills that would provide continued funding for the ACP. It is crucial to ensure that adults aged 50+ have access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. Residents currently enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program are encouraged to contact their internet service providers or call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 to learn more about how the discontinuation of the program could affect them. Additional information can be found at aarp.org/ACP.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 1: No Poverty
- Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
- Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill.
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SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020.
- Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability.
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SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.
- Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. | Indicator 1.4.2: Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. | Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020. | Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. | Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. |
Analysis
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Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
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What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:
- Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
- Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and
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Source: chicagocrusader.com
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