Equipping communities for the future of work starts with building access to the digital world. That’s why we are celebrating the incredible people and partnerships driving digital equity in King County.

Join us in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), a nationwide event dedicated to advancing digital equity and inclusion. This year’s theme, “Community-Driven Digital Futures,” highlights how the most effective solutions to bridging the digital divide are born from within communities themselves.

Introducing Said, a Digital Navigator at WorkSource Auburn. Through a partnership with Comcast and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC), Said is focused on breaking down digital barriers for those in need. Thanks to Comcast’s support, Said is providing crucial assistance in expanding technology access and fostering greater inclusivity. His work is helping ensure that everyone in our community can benefit from digital resources and opportunities.

Meet Alyssa, a Digital Navigator at WorkSource Rainier. With support from Comcast, Alyssa is working through the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) to help bridge the digital divide. Her mission is to connect more people with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today’s technology-driven world. This partnership with Comcast, launched earlier this year, enables Alyssa to create more inclusive opportunities and ensure that digital access is available to everyone in our community.

A new study illuminates the growing digital divide exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly impacting non-native English speakers and individuals without access to technology. This comprehensive research highlights the significant, measurable benefits of community-based digital navigation support, demonstrating how effectively tailored services can bridge the digital divide in marginalized communities.

We’re utilizing Digital Navigators to advance digital equity in preparation for upcoming BEAD-supported programs. Collaborating with various digital equity partners, WDC has also joined forces with Comcast, who has generously donated $60,000, to support the deployment of two Digital Navigators at WorkSource locations. This collaboration signifies a collective commitment to bridging the digital divide, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that the benefits of technology reach all corners of our community.

Seattle, WA (February 23, 2023) – The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) has awarded $650,000 to twelve community-based organizations to support coordinated services to improve digital equity in the Seattle-King County region. The grant, funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, will amplify community access to affordable internet, devices, and digital skills training.

Li Xiu emigrated from China in 1996. She had less than a high school education, her English was very limited, and she possessed few digital literacy skills. When she settled in Seattle she didn’t have much time for her own education because she was a busy single mom working sewing jobs to raise her two children. In July 2019 she was laid off, and she became “very depressed worrying about her living.”