digitalLIFT is expanding its digital literacy and Digital Navigator training initiatives across the 26-county Texas Panhandle, with a focus on strengthening capacity in communities that face persistent barriers to digital access and skills.
A national nonprofit, digitalLIFT is committed to ensuring that every person, regardless of income, age, ability, language, or geography, has the digital skills and support needed to safely and confidently participate in today’s online world. Through multilingual digital skills training, Digital Navigator workforce development, and accessible curriculum for community-based organizations, digitalLIFT helps individuals overcome technology barriers that limit economic mobility, health access, and social connection.
Building on Existing Regional Partnerships
In Texas, digitalLIFT partners with more than 50 agencies across 74 rural and underserved counties in collaboration with Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Through 2026, this partnership is supporting outreach, coordination, and community engagement, creating a strong foundation for expanding services into the Texas Panhandle.
Communities in the Panhandle share many of the same challenges seen across rural regions, including limited transportation, aging infrastructure, and gaps in digital skills. These challenges often disproportionately affect older adults, low-income families, multilingual households, and individuals with disabilities.
Supporting Communities as Access Expands
The Texas Panhandle has made meaningful progress in expanding broadband access. In Amarillo, access has increased significantly in recent years, with thousands of previously unserved households now connected. Local efforts such as free or low-cost connectivity programs and new digital literacy classes demonstrate strong momentum.
However, access alone does not ensure meaningful use. Many residents still need support to navigate online tools for healthcare, employment, education, and communication. Demand for trusted, community-based assistance continues to exceed available resources.
digitalLIFT’s approach focuses on ensuring that increased connectivity is matched with increased skills, confidence, and safety online.
Training Local Digital Navigators
To meet this need, digitalLIFT delivers virtual Digital Navigator training to staff and volunteers at nonprofits, libraries, schools, and service organizations across the region. This flexible training model allows even the most remote organizations to participate without travel costs or staffing disruptions.
The training includes the following:
- Foundational and advanced Digital Navigator coursework
- Specialized modules for healthcare providers, libraries, aging services, and public benefits staff
- Multilingual resources focused on internet safety and responsible technology use
By equipping local organizations with these tools, digitalLIFT helps build sustainable, in-house capacity to support community members over the long term.
Creating Lasting Community Impact
Each trained Digital Navigator has the potential to support hundreds of individuals, creating a multiplier effect that strengthens entire communities.
digitalLIFT’s evaluation data highlights the impact of this work:
- 88% of learners navigate the internet more safely
- 76% feel more connected to family and friends
- 75% improve access to healthcare resources
- 70% gain better access to government services
By investing in people and local organizations, digitalLIFT is helping ensure that digital access leads to real opportunity, an improved quality of life, and clearer pathways to economic mobility across the Texas Panhandle.
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