Digital Equity Resources in Washington State
A blog post by Xuan Bui
Technical support resources
Cyber-Seniors
Goodwill Connect
Seattle Housing Authority (SHA)
TechConnectWA
Cyber-Seniors
Cyber-Seniors is a non-profit organization that provides senior citizens with tech training using an intergenerational, volunteer model. Young people are provided with lessons and learning activities to train them to act as digital mentors and senior citizens gain access to adequate technology training and intergenerational communities that keep them socially connected and engaged.
What does the Cyber-Seniors program provide for seniors?
Direct access to free telephone tech support in English, Spanish and French.
Book ahead one-on-one tech support that can be provided over the phone or over any digital platform.
Daily technology webinars in English and Spanish.
Opportunities to participate in other online social programs.
Access to hundreds of tech-training resources and self-lead tutorials
For more information, visit the Cyber-Seniors website.
Goodwill Connect at Evergreen Goodwill
Goodwill Connect is a statewide collaboration of all the independent Goodwills in Washington to increase digital equity for individuals by offering free digital skills training, devices, and broadband connectivity, in partnership with the Washington State Broadband Office.
The program offers a variety of programs: Computer & Mobile Basics; Work & Google Docs; English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) + Google Docs; ESOL Computer & Mobile Basics, etc. Their digital navigation services include free digital navigation; free digital literacy skill training; assistance signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program…
For more information, visit the Goodwill Connect website.
Seattle Housing Authority
Seattle Housing Authority provides a digital literacy program that offers digital navigation and drop-in computer lab hours at five Seattle Housing Authority locations. Digital Navigation Services include free digital navigation; free digital literacy skills training; affordable internet access assistance and connected device acquisition assistance for residents or households at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Special Abilities Technology Training
Seattle Housing Authority provides technology training for people with disabilities and seniors provided by Full Life Care at two SHA locations:
Special Technology Access Resource (STAR) Center
The STAR Center at SHA's Center Park property provides residents with disabilities access to specialized training and technology. Classes offered to residents include the basics of using computers, printers, scanners, and the Internet as well as employment skills training, adult basic education, and ESL. The lab is free and open to the public.
Address: 2600 S Walker St., Seattle WA 98144
Westwood Heights Computer Center
The Westwood Heights Computer Center is a senior-friendly computer lab offering free use and training in computer technology to residents. It features large print images and screens, as well as computers with a keyboard and mouse designed for use by those with limited dexterity. Structured training sessions are available.
Address: 9455 27th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98126
For more information, visit the Seattle Housing Authority website.
TechConnectWA
TechConnectWA provides FREE technical support to Washington residents to help them engage in a virtual environment. Helpdesk Technicians are standing by to provide technical guidance, digital navigation support, and connections to other community resources to support parents, students, elders, and all community members during this time. The team is available to provide guidance via chat, email, or phone in the multiple languages
WA TechConnect can help with
Internet connectivity
Basic technical support
Learning Management System support
Provide connections for hardware fixes
Connect to community resources
Learn more about the services TechConnectWA offer on their website.
Low-cost internet and devices
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Goodwill Connect
Lifeline
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Affordable Connectivity Program is a national, U.S. government program giving low-income households a discount of up to $30 per month for internet service and some discounts on computer device costs.
A U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablets.
Who’s eligible?
Lower-income residents (below 200% of the federal poverty level) are receiving public benefits such as free school lunch, WIC/SNAP, Pell grants, subsidized housing, and Medicaid. Lifeline users also qualify.
How to apply
Getting the ACP benefit requires two steps: (1) confirming eligibility and (2) signing up with the internet provider to apply for the subsidy.
Some internet providers who participate in the ACP program handle ACP sign-up; others require eligibility screening and sign-up takes place first through the federal ACP website.
In the Seattle area, many internet providers and retailers participate in the program. To find a company near you that provides the service, visit the ACP website.
For more information about the program, visit the ACP website.
Goodwill Connect at Evergreen Goodwill
Goodwill Connect is a statewide collaboration of all the independent Goodwills in Washington to increase digital equity to individuals furthest from opportunity by offering free digital skills training, devices, and broadband connectivity, in partnership with the Washington State Broadband Office. In Washington State, the Goodwill Connect program is offered by Evergreen Goodwill.
The program offers a variety of programs: Computer & Mobile Basics; Work & Google Docs; ESOL + Google Docs; ESOL Computer & Mobile Basics, etc. Their digital navigation services include free digital navigation; free digital literacy skill training; assistance signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program…
For more information, visit the Goodwill Connect website.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a government benefit program that provides monthly telephone and internet service discounts for eligible consumers living on low incomes, helping create access to the opportunities and security that phone service affords - including being able to connect to jobs, housing, family, and 9-1-1.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for data collection and maintenance, support calculation, and disbursement for the low-income program. USAC’s website provides information regarding administrative aspects of the low-income program, as well as program requirements.
Who’s eligible?
The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and tribal land.
Visit the Lifeline website for more information.
Immigrants & refugees and language resources
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
HelpingLink
Literacy Source
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
The Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) promotes social justice and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities – including immigrants, refugees, and American-born – by developing, providing, and advocating for innovative, effective, and efficient community-based multilingual and multicultural services.
The ACRS helps clients attain the highest levels of self-sufficiency in Western society while maintaining their cultural identities. They have digital literacy programs that offer adult immigrants with low English proficiency to improve their English skills while also learning basic digital literacy skills.
Read more about the organization at the Asian Counseling and Referral Service website.
Helping Link
Founded in 1993, Helping Link has been committed to solving the needs of the Vietnamese community in Seattle by providing them with educational programs and resources in language, technology, and citizenship. Helping Link believes in supporting intergenerational families, nurturing communities, and fostering cultural resilience. Like a bridge that connects multiple points, Helping Link aims to unite and connect the Vietnamese community while also empowering members to celebrate their histories, cultures, and traditions.
Helping Link is a digital literacy program that offers basic digital literacy classes taught in Vietnamese. Some of the classes include English as a second language (ESL), conversational English & US Citizenship, and learning selected iPad/iPhone apps such as Google Maps, Google Translate & Next Bus Away.
More information about the organization can be found on the Helping Link website.
Literacy Source
Literacy Source partners with adults working to gain skills and education to create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and the community.
The digital literacy program offers adult immigrants and refugees with low English language proficiency to improve their English skills while also learning basic digital literacy skills. Some of their programs include
Basic skills instruction in reading, writing, and math
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for immigrants and refugees
Workplace basic skills
Basic digital literacy and computer skills
GED and citizenship preparation
Talk Time or Conversation classes
Assistance with naturalization applications for low-income individuals
More information about the organization can be found on the Literacy Source website.
Additional Resources
Digital Equity Asset Map - Community Resource
Digital Equity Asset Map is created by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County. This data visualization tool is created to locate racial inequities in communities using indicators like household income & per capita income. The goals of the map are to help community members locate programs with digital skills training, access to affordable devices, and technical support; advocate for digital inclusion and identify service gaps.
To learn more about the map and access additional resources, visit the Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County website.
