Government and Citizens

Internet Access

Internet Access and Online Services

The increasing significance of the Internet as a vehicle for information and services makes it more important than ever that government Web-enable its business and help ensure that all citizens have equal access.

Why is This Important?

Providing Virginians with free and equal access to online government information and services makes it easier for citizens to learn about and interact directly with state agencies and other institutions.  Offering online services helps government increase transparency, accountability and responsiveness; government can also become more efficient and productive by eliminating redundant tasks and reducing paperwork and storage.

However, it is important to reach every citizen wherever possible and to eliminate potential barriers to Internet access. As a result, both Federal and state law require government information and services on the Web to be equally available to all persons regardless of disability.  And as the volume and complexity of the Internet's content has grown, so has the need for reliable search methods and high-speed access. 

How is Virginia Doing?

Digital Government
Virginia has earned high marks nationally for its digitally advanced government. Through its Digital States Survey, the non-profit Center for Digital Government independently assesses how well state government uses technology. This biennial, comprehensive survey examines best practices, policies and progress in using IT to better serve citizens and streamline operations. The study compiles its rankings based on the availability of government services online as well as citizen usage.

In 2008, the Center awarded Virginia top honors in its Best of the Web survey of state portals:

Best of the Web, 2008

Rank	State
1	Virginia
2	Maine
3	California
4	Texas
5	Alabama / Rhode Island
Other finalists:  Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Michigan and Nebraska
Source: Source: Center for Digital Government State Rankings, 2008.

The Center makes similar awards to cities and counties based on population size. In 2008 Virginia Beach was a finalist in the City Portal category.

Access by people with disabilities
Virginia’s current Technology Accessibility Standard was developed by a group of subject matter experts from across state government and officially adopted by the Commonwealth in 2005.   By requiring certain Web techniques be used, this standard helps guarantee that information and services available on state government websites are accessible to people with disabilities.

Improved search methods 
In the spring of 2007, Virginia partnered with Google and the states of Utah, California and Arizona to implement a free search system that aggregates government content and improves the ability of all commercial search engines to find it.  Since that time, the initiative has made over 180,000 Web addresses (URLs) more readily available to citizen searches.

Access to broadband 
The Commonwealth places a high premium on having affordable broadband services available in all regions.  Broadband initiatives, such as the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance, help underserved communities in the Commonwealth obtain broadband infrastructure. Other efforts work to develop community-driven strategies and creative methods for deploying broadband throughout the state. 

According to the 2008 Communication Workers of America's Speed Matters survey, Virginia ranks 4th in the nation for median broadband speed, which has risen from an average 2007 speed of 2.34 mbps to 5 mbps [mbps = megabytes per second].  Rhode Island leads the nation with mbps speeds of 6.8; Maryland is 8th (4 mbps), while North Carolina ranks 11th (2.9 mbps) and Tennessee  17th (2.8mbps).   However, the United States as a whole continues to lag well behind other nations such as Japan, South Korea and France, where median download speeds can go as high as 64 mbps.

What Influences Internet Access and Online Services?

Economic development can be a strong driver in improving delivery of both online services and access to broadband.  Citizens and businesses alike need these tools to reach their fullest potential. 

Information security is critical to effective delivery of online government services.  Citizens must be confident that their personal information is safe.

IT infrastructure and capacity can be enabling or crippling.  The opportunity to share services and resources lessens the initial cost of many initiatives and provides a quicker, more robust return on investment.

What is the State's Role?

The Commonwealth of Virginia has an integrated vision for information technology use in the state that includes Internet strategies and requirements. The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) has developed a specific strategic vision and plan for information technology for 2007-2011, which is followed by all state executive branch agencies.