The numbers are sobering. Of the approximately 80,000 Kansas Citians who don't use the Internet, close to half are African American. Nearly that many are seniors. Almost two-thirds didn't attend college.
The repercussions can be profound, posing challenges in job seeking, conducting business, accessing health information, completing homework, and simply communicating day to day.
Individuals and organizations working to address that digital divide gather Friday, October 17, 2014, at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., for a daylong series of brainstorming sessions. The 2014 Kansas City Digital Inclusion Summit examines trends, addresses needs, spotlights current inclusion efforts, and shares best practices.
Digital inclusion strategist Angela Siefer delivers the keynote address on Kansas City's opportunity to create a model for regional digital inclusion.
Breakout sessions and hands-on workshops will showcase some of the work already underway by local organizations.
The schedule:
8:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks
9:15 a.m. Overview: The digitally divided in Kansas City: Who is not online & why?
9:30 a.m. Testimonials: Why does bridging the digital divide matter so much?
10 - 11:30 a.m. Morning Sessions
- Wi-Fi Mesh Networks
- Trainer's Toolbox: Resources for Digital Literacy Providers
- Free Digital Resources for Education, GED, Workforce, and Economic Development
- Digital Literacy and Its Importance in Narrowing the Digital Divide
- Low-cost and Affordable Broadband Packages from Area Providers
- How Can the KC Community Increase and Scale Capacity to Meet High Need for Access, Digital Literacy, Connectivity?
- Youth and the Computing Divide
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Address
12:45 - 2:30 p.m. Afternoon Sessions
- Closing the Digital Divide One App at a Time
- Bridging the Digital Divide as a Mainstream Issue in Economic Development
- Digital Inclusion for Underserved Communities: What Is Really Needed?
- Narrowing the Digital Divide for Seniors
- Digital Inclusion and Workforce Development
- Accessibility Technology and Strategies for Persons with Disabilities
- Digital Divide in School Districts
2:45-3:30 p.m. Closing Session
- Digital Inclusion Collaboration and Sustainability
- Perspectives from Those in the Digital Divide for the Day
- Wrapup, Next Steps
3:30-4:30 p.m. Reception, Networking
Organizing the event with the Kansas City Public Library are representatives from the City of Kansas City; Connecting For Good; the Housing Authority of Kansas City; Kansas City Parks and Recreation; the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library; KC Digital Drive; Literacy KC; the Local Investment Commission (LINC); Mid-Continent Public Library; Metropolitan Community Colleges; UrbanTEC; and the YMCA.
Admission is free. RSVP at bit.ly/InclusionKC. Free parking is available in the Library District parking garage at 10th & Baltimore.