The digital divide is a complex issue, and bridging it requires collaboration across sectors. Recognizing this, the San Francisco Tech Council was born.
The SF Tech Council unites leaders from nonprofits, government, business, and academia to “work together and learn together,” said Andrew Broderick, the Co-director. “Leaders came together in 2015 to create the Council because of a shared concern that older people and those with disabilities were at risk of being left behind in the broadband era unless there were focused efforts to connect, train, and support in areas of digital technology use.”
One of these founding leaders was Kami Griffiths, CTN’s co-founder and Executive Director, who Broderick said was “instrumental” in the Council’s formation.
Throughout the past eight years, the Council has worked to promote digital equity in a variety of ways. One of its most popular events is its monthly meetings, which are open to the public and meant to share information about digital equity research, funding, and opportunities. The meetings also provide an opportunity for digital equity practitioners across the city “to talk together, learn from each other, and catalyze partnership,” said Broderick. Many CTN staff members regularly attend these meetings.
Steph Minor, CTN’s Senior Digital Equity Program Manager, is an active participant. “The SF Tech Council has supported CTN by not only connecting us with potential partners, but also allowing us to further promote our programs. Attending SF Tech Council discussions helps us stay up-to-date on services, supportive techniques, and programs.”
Additionally, the Council has piloted numerous unique initiatives, including Kickstart Your Business at 50+ (which teaches older adults the skills that they need to become entrepreneurs) and projects aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness among older and disabled adults. The Council has also coordinated a number of ACP enrollment events and has hosted Tech Support Pop-ups for older adults across the city. The Council frequently turns to CTN for volunteers to help at these events.
Beyond San Francisco, the Council promotes collaboration by facilitating the Bay Area Digital Inclusion Coalition (BADIC) monthly calls. BADIC brings together over 50 leaders from across the Bay Area in order to share information across county borders. CTN’s Kami Griffiths played a major role in the formation of BADIC.
Karla Suomala, the Council’s other Co-director, believes that this work is more important now than ever. “In 2015, when the SF Tech Council was created, bridging the digital divide was important. But now, coming out of the pandemic, there’s even more of a sense of urgency. Everything has changed. All the things that you were able to do before by picking up the phone — like scheduling a doctor’s appointment — that’s all online now. And so when people are offline, they’re literally closed off from basic opportunities.”
She continues: “Older adults and their needs are often overlooked. But they’re there, and we want to bring visibility to them. The Chronicle recently reported that older adults are the fastest-growing population in San Francisco. The numbers are only increasing, and this issue is not going away. We’re working against both ageism and ableism to raise public consciousness of the need. Much more needs to be done.”
Both Broderick and Suomala agree that convening organizations across sectors is the most effective way to bridge the digital divide and that it is what makes the Tech Council so unique. When asked why the Council’s work is important, Broderick said simply, “Because there’s no one else doing it.”
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