According to the most recent citywide needs assessment in 2018, more than 100,000 San Francisco residents lack internet access at home or are not proficient at using the internet and digital devices. As the pandemic continues to drive more basic services online, many people are left behind. This is especially true for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families, who may view the internet as difficult, unaffordable, unsafe to use, or irrelevant.
Every year, the San Francisco Public Library hosts Connect with Tech Week. The collaborative event raises awareness of the digital divide in the Bay Area. These are its aims:
- Provide information about technology services and opportunities
- Provide tech training for job seeking, accessing health information, parental tools, and lifelong learning
- Enhance collaboration between the government, nonprofit, and private sectors
Connect with Tech Week 2021 takes place May 9 – 15. It will feature more than 30 sessions on everything from web basics to building your own site. Other offerings include classes on how to apply for affordable housing online, understand cryptocurrency, use Google Drive, and interview for a job via video chat. Most events take place on Zoom, and some will also stream live from SFPL’s YouTube page. See the full program schedule.
CTN is excited to join SFPL in advocating for digital inclusion. For this year’s event, CTN is providing an instructional video to support novice smartphone users. The video will aid them in recognizing the difference between gaining internet access via their mobile carrier’s cellular data and gaining internet access via Wi-Fi on their iPhone or Android device. Expanding digital literacy skills training and education with our fellow community partners allows us to promote our goals of bridging the digital divide.
In addition to Tech Week’s classes, one-on-one help is available for building a variety of skills — including getting ready to Zoom for Tech Week events.
Tenderloin Tech Lab Office Hours: Appointments are available between 2 and 4 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Call 415-592-2766 or email info@tenderlointechnologylab.org.
Tech Squad Appointments: The Felton Institute’s Tech Squad is offering technical assistance to older adults in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Call 415-960-5211 or email Joy at jzhan@felton.org for an appointment.
Felton Institute 科技隊，目前提供科英，粵，國語科技協助。
請415-960-5211或寫電郵jzhan@felton.org來預約時間。
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