Case Study: Expanding Computer Ownership in Rural Arizona
How community-driven partnerships transform access to computers, the internet, and opportunity.
In communities across rural Arizona, tens of thousands of residents face daily challenges because they lack access to a personal computer or rely solely on a smartphone to connect to the internet. In towns like Miami, San Luis, Superior, and Nogales, between 29% and 38% of households do not have a large-screen computer at home. Older adults are among the most affected.
This case study details Digitunity’s collaborative efforts with Chicanos Por La Causa to better understand these challenges through local focus groups and to distribute 200 computers to individuals without a prior pathway to ownership. The case study captures project activities through January 2025.
What’s Inside the Case Study
Through the voices of residents and local leaders, the report explores:
- Barriers to personal computer ownership in rural communities
- The impact of limited internet access and public computer availability
- Community preferences for digital literacy support and training
- Actionable solutions, including low-cost device distribution and local partnerships
Why It Matters
Computer ownership is essential for participating in today’s world. Without it, people are excluded from employment and educational opportunities, telehealth, and necessary services. This case study highlights practical, community-informed strategies to make computer ownership possible for everyone, especially in places where the need is greatest.
Get the Full Case Study
Discover how rural communities are expanding access to personal computers through local partnerships, practical solutions, and sustained community engagement. This report offers a closer look at what it takes to build lasting systems that support digital opportunity for all.
Through individual and corporate donations of technology, we work every day to help ensure that everyone can thrive in our digital society. Digitunity partners with 1500+ nonprofit organizations to distribute new and refurbished computers.
This original research commissioned by Digitunity shows that internet access and use increases rural economic and community development. The purpose of this brief is to raise awareness of the difficulties rural communities face when trying to address the device ownership issue.
We envision a world where anyone, in any community, can obtain a computer, free from barriers to ownership. Through integrated, sustainable systems, we are working to create long-lasting solutions that ensure access to the tools people need to thrive in a digital society.