A digital navigator is a personal guide to help find information and training that is needed, trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices. Digital navigation services include ongoing assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition, technical skills, and application support.
Several organizations have developed resources to help define and support the role of a digital navigator, and this page provides links to these and associated resources
- NDIA’s Digital Navigator Model page
- DigitalUS’s Digital Navigators Playbook. This tool kit covers five important elements in program planning and design:
• Program Goal – What is this program interested in accomplishing? What problem is it intended to address? Who is the target population?
• Program Description – What activities will you be doing to achieve the desired program outcomes? What service(s) will you offer?
• Measurement and Evaluation – What does success look like, and how can we measure it? What metrics will your agency use to track results?
• Implementation Plan – Are there training and startup requirements? What current resources can you leverage and or will you need additional resources?
• Building a Digital Equity Ecosystem – Do you know potential partners offering complimentary, wrap-around, or supportive services? What strategic alliances with businesses, governments, and other organizations or institutions, can be made to ensure digital inclusion? - For hiring digital navigators, Essential Families in Kansas City has 21 digital navigators (as of February, 2023) and have shared a page addressing Digital Navigator role description, compensation, questions, and documents they request from each Digital Navigator applicant
- Salt Lake City Public Library Digital Navigator toolkit
- Navigating the Telehealth Neighborhood: A Guide to Telehealth Access for Digital Navigators from the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (nrtrc.org)