Mayor Walsh Announces Digital Inclusion Week With Community Partners
Published on October 08, 2024
City emphasizes access and education as critical to digital inclusion
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh was joined by community partners today to sign a proclamation declaring October 8 through 10 as Digital Inclusion Week. Syracuse Northeast Community Center, InterFaith Works, Literacy CNY, and CNY Digital Inclusion Coalition are all active partners in bridging Syracuse’s digital divide by mobilizing staff and volunteers to provide education, programming and services that make digital tools easy and accessible to all members of the public—regardless of age, income or background.
“Digital inclusion is more than having access to high-speed internet. Residents also need access to digital devices and training on how to use them,” said Mayor Ben Walsh. “We are living in the age of connectivity so the community-driven programming these partner agencies offer is increasing literacy and breaking down technology barriers one human connection, one device, and one skill at a time.”
Syracuse joins the national week of action to raise awareness and amplify the importance of digital equity, which encompasses affordable high-speed internet, access to suitable devices, and digital skills training. This year's theme, "Stronger Together: Mobilizing Towards Sustainability," aligns with programs offered by Syracuse partners to bring digital access and skills to everyone in our community.
Syracuse Northeast Community Center has hired a Digital Empowerment Manager who works citywide to provide residents with training, technical assistance, connections to subsidies, devices, referrals for other essential services, and more. SNCC is also a free Wi-Fi site in partnership with the City of Syracuse. This enables residents to use the center’s wireless network if it’s not available at home to connect to education, jobs, and their family and friends.
InterFaith Works offers a digital literacy program called Digital Inclusion for Older Adults. The program uses digital navigators to help seniors become more comfortable using technology and use the internet safely. It works on skills like email, zoom, digital banking, telehealth, and other troubleshooting, and is offered in multiple languages.
Literacy CNY offers a Digital Literacy Program which uses trained volunteers to assist individuals with how to use devices, software, and navigate the internet. The resident decides what help they need, and the program offers free drop-in and appointment-based assistance at locations across Onondaga, Oneida, Madison, and Herkimer Counties.
CNY Digital Inclusion Coalition is a group of community stakeholders who are working to better understand challenges to digital inclusion in Central New York. Their work involves creating regional awareness to improve digital inclusion and supporting policy and funding for inclusion work.
“The City’s Surge Link program provides affordable, secure, high-speed internet at home—an important step to achieving equitable access to the internet for Syracuse families. But we know that providing options for internet service is not enough--every dollar we can invest into digital literacy creates value in having a device and high-speed internet. Residents need these things to thrive in today’s digital economy,” said Jenn Tifft, Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Mayor’s Office. “We are proud to keep advocating for a more connected and empowered Syracuse. Digital inclusion Week is a reminder that we are not advocating or working alone,” she said.
The City received $10.8 million earlier this year as part of the Governor’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program. This State funding helped expand coverage for Surge Link to over 13,000 additional households in Syracuse. Surge Link will be expanding service from the Near Westside, Southside, and Brighton neighborhoods to five additional key city neighborhoods: Valley, Skunk City, Washington Square, Northside, and Near Northeast. These areas are identified as having some of the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and lowest educational attainment in the city.
The City will continue sharing information about the services of program partners and information on how to sign up for Surge Link services through the week on social media using the hashtag #DIW2024.