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   Chen, Xiaoqian; Chen, Kang; Wang, Minxiao; Li, Ruopu (November 2023, Infrastructures)

   The past decade has seen a rise in the availability of modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) for developing smart societies and communities. However, the smart divide, characterized by inequalities in ICT infrastructures, software access, and individual capabilities, remains a significant barrier for rural communities. Limited empirical studies exist that explore what and how ICT infrastructures can be developed to bridge the smart divide. The paper aimed to address rural broadband access in the context of infrastructural dimensions of smart divide (i.e., smart infrastructural divide) in the United States, focusing on the wireless network infrastructure’s role in narrowing the gap. It examined the broadband specifications needed for smart applications like smart education and telehealth, emphasizing the importance of wireless network capabilities. While fixed broadband offers higher speeds, wireless networks can support many smart applications with decent flexibility and ease of access. To further understand the implications of wireless broadband to rural communities, we conducted a case study in Carbondale and Cairo, two rural towns in Southern Illinois, using on-site user-inspired speed testing. An Android application was developed to measure download/upload speeds and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) for broadband quality. Results suggest both Carbondale and Cairo experienced below-average speeds with high variability among census blocks, which highlights the need for improved wireless network infrastructure. The paper culminated in the technological and policy recommendations to narrow down the smart infrastructural divide. 

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   https://doi.org/10.1145/3631588.3631590  

   Rothrock, Blaine; Greenlee, Eric; Hester, Josiah (October 2023, GetMobile: Mobile Computing and Communications)

   This article calls for careful, calculated, community-driven co-design of mobile and ubiquitous solutions to bridge the gap in financing and capacity of marginalized communities as they battle for the safety and health of their members. Communities across the globe face incredible challenges to preserve their environment, lifestyle, prosperity, equality, and even democracy. In the past five years, the urgency of multiple global crises, including climate degradation that causes extreme weather and shatters ecosystems and the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a global health crisis and economic upheaval, has threatened an already delicate balance. However, the impacts of these events are uneven - vulnerable, low-income, and marginalized communities have borne the brunt of many of these crises, not having the infrastructure or capacity to address every single gap. 

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3. LOW-COST EFFICIENT WIRELESS INTELLIGENT SENSOR (LEWIS) DEPLOYMENT FOR COMMUNITY DRIVEN DECISION MAKING

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   ALAMPALLI, SANDEEP; MALEK, KAVEH; MOHAMMADKHORASANI, ALI; MOREU, FERNANDO (September 2023, Destech Publications, Inc.)

   There have been several advances in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) throughout the last two decades. Among these advances is that sensors and data acquisition have become smaller in size while wireless technologies have been making wireless communication and data accessing easier. These advances create cost effective sensing solutions for communities where flooding and wildfires put their members and infrastructure at risk. Therefore, with higher community involvement in understanding and utilizing new sensing technologies, there is more to be gained in preparing for and mitigating the effects of natural hazards. Low-cost easily deployable sensors will make sensor technology more popular and easier for communities to utilize and give them the ability to make decisions during natural hazards. LEWIS, a Low-cost Efficient Wireless Intelligent Sensor platform, is created by the Smart Management of Infrastructure Laboratory (SMILab) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) at Albuquerque for such a purpose: to give communities the ability to create innovative monitoring solutions, including combating climate change. This paper briefly discusses the LEWIS platform, their use for communities to combat natural hazards to make quick decisions to improve public safety, training and education components, and community (from student to industry professional) engagement efforts. 

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4. A Call for Action: Conceptualizing Assets-Based Inclusive Design as a Social Movement to Address Systemic Inequities: An Assets-Based Inclusive Design Framework

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   Ahumada-Newhart, Veronica; Maya Hernandez, J.; Badillo-Urquiola, Karla (May 2021, ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '21))

   Digital technologies shape how individuals, communities, and soci- eties interact; yet they are far from equitable. This paper presents a framework that challenges the “one-view-fits-all” design approach to digital health tools. We explore systemic issues of power to eval- uate the multidimensional indicators of Latino health outcomes and how technology can support well-being. Our proposed frame- work enables designers to gain a better understanding of how marginalized communities use digital technologies to navigate unique challenges. As an innovative and possibly controversial approach to assets-based design, we stress the importance of in- dustry and academia self-reflection on their organization’s role in the marginalization of communities in addition to valuing the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through this approach, designers may avoid amplifying structural and health inequities in marginalized communities. 

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5. A call for action: Conceptualizing assets-based inclusive design as a social movement to address systemic inequities. An assets-based inclusive design framework.

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5214196  

   Ahumada-Newhart, V; Hernandez, M.J; Badillo-Urquiola, K. (May 2021, CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Extended Abstracts)

   null (Ed.)

   Digital technologies shape how individuals, communities, and soci- eties interact; yet they are far from equitable. This paper presents a framework that challenges the “one-view-fits-all” design approach to digital health tools. We explore systemic issues of power to eval- uate the multidimensional indicators of Latino health outcomes and how technology can support well-being. Our proposed frame- work enables designers to gain a better understanding of how marginalized communities use digital technologies to navigate unique challenges. As an innovative and possibly controversial approach to assets-based design, we stress the importance of in- dustry and academia self-reflection on their organization’s role in the marginalization of communities in addition to valuing the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through this approach, designers may avoid amplifying structural and health inequities in marginalized communities. 

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