How to celebrate Digital Inclusion Week in Austin

Luz Moreno-Lozano, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read

The city of Austin has designated the first week of this month, from Monday to Friday, to be Digital Inclusion Week. The week is an opportunity to raise awareness about digital inequities and nationwide efforts to close those gaps.

Throughout the week, organizations across the nation will host digital inclusion events and share digital stories that highlight specific inequities and the role digital inclusion providers play in meeting these needs.

Austin’s efforts will be spearheaded by nonprofit Austin Free Net:

  • Monday – Austin Free-Net’s Screen-A-Thon, remote: Bring awareness to your screen time and digital usage by pledging donations toward Austin Free-Net and our Digital Inclusion Week festivities. The Screen-A-Thon aims to raise awareness to the individual by monitoring their own usage and supporting those who lack access.

  • Monday – Digital Navigator Open Hours for Technology and Internet Assistance, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., DeWitty Job and Training Center: Get help with your technology goals. This week will have dedicated Digital Navigators available for one-on-one customized technology assistance.

  • Tuesday – Digital Inclusion: Then and Now, noon to 1 p.m., remote: Digital inclusion has been the hard work of many since the public release of the world wide web in 1993. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 put a national spotlight on digital inclusion and how our world depends on technology like never before.

  • Wednesday – Digital Navigator Open Hours for Technology and Internet Assistance, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., DeWitty Job and Training Center: Get help with your technology goals. This week will have dedicated Digital Navigators available for one-on-one customized technology assistance.

  • Thursday – Big Tech in Austin, noon to 1 p.m., remote: This conversation presents perspectives from Big Tech companies like Google Fiber and Dell Technologies on what work they are doing to help Austinites achieve digital inclusion and equity.

  • Friday – Tech For All Fest, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kenny Dorham’s Backyard: Free admission, live music, games, tech prizes and opportunities for community partners to enlighten the community about all things tech, including assistance signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information visit: www.austinfreenet.net

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to celebrate Digital Inclusion week in Austin