HADLEY — Internet usage by Hadley residents is being surveyed by the town’s Digital Equity Steering Committee, a first step in developing a digital equity plan.

With an aim of all townspeople having access to digital devices and the Internet, along with digital literacy skills, the survey will explore where the town may be falling short.

“Digital equity affects folks of all walks of life, no matter what age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or even political affiliation,” Hadley Media Director Alexander LaMarche said in a statement. LaMarche also chairs the steering committee.

Some questions to be answered are whether senior citizens have digital skills to access telehealth services or know and to stay safe when catching up with family on social media, and whether students and remote workers have the necessary internet access to do their tasks.

Digital equity is defined by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as “a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.”

“Technology is continually changing rapidly — we see this with the many innovations in artificial intelligence,” LaMarche said. “And with more and more things becoming online, we need to make sure that our residents are in touch with the 21st century.”

The survey will look at Internet availability at home, barriers to Internet adoption, digital skills and online safety concerns, accessibility of online government services, and demographic information to ensure representation.

Surveys should be completed by early October. They are available online at mbicx.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxTlMGFVF8KjigC. 

Paper copies of the survey are at Town Hall, the Senior Center and the Hadley Library, which can be returned to the TV-5 mailbox near the collector’s office in Town Hall; scanned and emailed to lamarchea@hadleyma.gov; or sent via mail to Hadley Media, 100 Middle St., Hadley 01035. 

Pop-up events around town will also have the survey available, with people able to ask questions about the digital equity plan process.