The "digital divide," the separation between those with access to new technologies and those without, is seen by many as one of the leading equity issues in the United States. Computer and Internet access varies widely across the United States, with better educated people, those with more money, and whites more likely to have Internet access. In the early years of the Internet, schools with lower concentrations of poor students and suburban schools were more likely to have Internet access, but by 1996 all schools were equally likely to have Internet access. Urban schools, however, remained more likely to have more students per computer with Internet access. Underserved communities are gaining access to the Internet, but there are four significant content deficiencies for these communities: (1) lack of local information; (2) literacy barriers; (3) language barriers; and (4) lack of cultural diversity in Internet material. Public policies and private initiatives are attempting to expand affordable access to information resources in both homes and communities. The Education rate (E-rate) program is perhaps the best known universal service initiative. This program provides discounts on certain telecommunications services to eligible organizations. Other programs include several sponsored by the Federal Communications Commission and the Commerce Department. (SLD)