Friday, January 16, 2015
9 a.m. - noon
Continental breakfast provided
Kansas City, Mo. 64105
RSVP NOW!
Three months after the Digital Inclusion Summit drew more than 200 individuals and organizations, organizers will reconvene for a Digital Inclusion Town Hall on Friday, January 16, 2015, at 9.a.m., at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. The group will deliver their official report, map out next steps, and introduce a new digital inclusion website will be unveiled.

A continental breakfast is provided at the town hall session. RSVP at kclibrary.org or call 816.701.3407. Free parking is available in the Library District parking garage at 10th and Baltimore.

About Digital Inclusion Efforts 

 

The initial, daylong Kansas City Digital Inclusion Summit in October 2014 examined trends, discussed challenges and opportunities, spotlighted current inclusion efforts, and shared best practices. Addressing the problem, organizers say, "requires leadership with a broad, integrated vision of potential solutions to existing barriers and new ones that emerge or develop."

Individuals and groups now "are typically tackling the issue from their own perspective, capitalizing on their respective capabilities, talents, and resources to develop their envisioned solutions. Some efforts are unique. Others, however, could be duplicating efforts, leaving potential gaps among necessary steps for addressing the digital divide successfully.

"There is a real opportunity ... to create a coordinating organization."

Proposals coming out of the October summit range from heightening awareness to engaging business and both community and faith-based organizations in a collaborative effort. 

Assessing the Digital Divide in Kansas City 

 

The numbers behind the community-wide drive are sobering. A Google study showed that 28% of Kansas City's residents don't have access to the Internet, 41% think it's irrelevant, and 17% - almost one in five - don't use it. Of the latter, close to half are African Americans and nearly that many are 65 or older.

 


Separate data suggests that 70% of all students in Kansas City's public schools don't have Internet access at home.

The repercussions can be profound, posing challenges in job seeking, conducting business, accessing health information, completing homework, and simply communicating day to day.
 
Supporters and Partners

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas Department of Commerce
City of Kansas City, Missouri
The Brainzooming Group
Google Fiber
Truman Medical Centers
Local Investment Commission (LINC)
Full Employment Council (FEC)
KC Stem Alliance
Urban TEC

Comcast
Connecting for Good
Kansas City Digital Drive
Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
Kansas City Public Library
Linwood Family YMCA
Literacy Kansas City
Metropolitan Community Colleges
Mid-Continent Public Library