Louisville Digital Inclusion Week Kicks Off Monday

In honor of Digital Inclusion Week, a nationwide event to share efforts in local communities to promote digital inclusion and equity, Louisville Metro Government is highlighting efforts to expand access to the internet, technology devices and digital literacy training.

Digital Inclusion Week is celebrated nationwide to share efforts in local communities that promote digital inclusion and equity. Metro agencies will join with community partners in hosting events throughout the city, including two low-cost internet signup opportunities, the Verizon Innovative Initiative launch, free computer trainings, a digital inclusion workshop, a door-to-door outreach, and a computer donation drive.

“Internet access and literacy are essential for citizens to reach their full potential — to apply for jobs, to do their work and school assignments, complete entire college degree programs and more,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.

“The commitment of our city to expand digital inclusion shows in the efforts of our Office for Civic Innovation, our work to bring Google Fiber and to launch it in Portland and Newburg, and our collaborations with civic hackers to use technology to help citizens.”

Grace Simrall, the city’s Chief of Civic Innovation and Technology, added: “Our goal during Digital Inclusion Week is to highlight our city’s Digital Inclusion Strategy and the resources, knowledge and expertise that address the challenges we face.”

About 29 percent of Louisville households do not have a wired internet connection at home, and about 19 percent do not have a laptop or desktop at home, according to a 2016 American Community Survey data.

Learn more about Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion Plan

Louisville Digital Inclusion Week events

• Monday, Oct 8 – Launch of Digital Inclusion Week on social media. Join the conversation on social media by using #DIW2018 or “#Digital4AllLou” to call attention to the importance of digital inclusion.
• Tuesday, Oct. 9 – Verizon Innovative Learning Initiative launch. Mayor Fischer joins with JCPS to announce Verizon’s $5.1 million investment in technology, which will provide free tablets and data plans to students and teachers at five JCPS middle schools. Located at Newburg Middle School, 4901 Exeter Ave., 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 –
  • Free Internet Basics training at Jeffersontown and Iroquois libraries, Microsoft Word 2 at the Main Library, andExcel (2016) Formulas & Functions 2 at the South Central Regional Library. All Louisville Free Public Library locations provide free computer and internet access, along with computer training classes, open to the public throughout the year.  See full schedule.
  • Low-cost internet outreach and sign-up event at the Main Library, 301 York St., 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Learn about and receive help signing up for low-cost internet plans in our community for qualifying households. Read more for eligibility.
• Thursday, Oct. 11 –
  • Digital Inclusion Workshop at Neighborhood Place Annual Day, a day of training and team-building for more than 300 social services staff attendees. Held at the Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Lane, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • Grow with Google train the trainer event for existing partners to build capacity to offer digital trainings to clients they serve.
• Friday, Oct. 12 – Door-to-door outreach in the Russell neighborhood as part of the city’s Building Our Blocks to inform residents about low-cost broadband options.
• Saturday, Oct. 13 –
  • Laptop Donation Drive at Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Place, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. to collect donations of used laptops (with power cords) which can be refurbished and distributed to residents in need.
  • Low cost internet outreach and sign-up event for qualifying households at the Bon Air Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read morefor eligibility.

To learn more about Digital Inclusion Week and Louisville Metro’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, visit http://digitalinclusion.louisvilleky.gov/