Participate in Digital Equity Inclusion Week, Oct. 2 - 6, 2023

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AARP Kansas is working with the Kansas Office of Broadband Development to encourage all Kansans, especially older Kansans and their families, to engage, learn, share, and support digital equity activities in your communities. The purpose of this week is to highlight solutions for affordable internet access, appropriate devices for all, and digital skills programs.

During this week, the Office of Broadband Development encourages you to use their whiteboards to write why you support or see value in digital equity and access. Take a picture and share it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can participate in the following ways:

• Monday, October 2: KOBD will officially release our Digital Equity Plan for Public Comment. You will be able to view and comment on the plan here. Please note the website will translate the plan into multiple languages and you can provide comment back to KOBD in Spanish and Vietnamese.

• Tuesday, October 3: KOBD invites you to a webinar on the importance of Public Comment for the Digital Equity Strategic Plan. Join us from Noon to 1 p.m. CST to learn more about the plan and the steps you can take to share your comments for consideration in the final version. Register and receive the calendar hold here.

• Wednesday, October 4: On WinsDay we wear *teal* for Digital Inclusion Week. Take a time out and share a brief video or photo of what digital opportunities mean to you. Use the hashtags #connectingallKansans #DIW2023 #BuildingConnectedCommunities Check out the suggested social toolkit from NDIA here.

• Thursday, October 5: Topeka Shawnee County Get Digital Listening Tour from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sunflower Foundation -5820 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka Kansas 66606. To understand and address the root cause(s) and the unique barriers stalling broadband deployment and adoption at the state and local level, and digital equity, the Federal Communication Commission’s Taskforce which works to prevent Digital Discrimination is hosting a listening session in partnership with the city of Topeka to better understand the residents struggles on getting access and work being done by organizations to provide technology access.
  RSVP: Deadline 9/28 to mglaude@topeka.org

• Friday, October 6: KOBD invites you to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program. You or someone you know may qualify for a subsidy of $30 a month towards internet service. Bonus points if you learn more and become a digital navigator. Find out more at KOBD website under “resources tab.”
  
  For more information, visit the Kansas Office of Broadband Development website.