What is Digital Inclusion Week?
Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition and celebration. DIW is organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and its 2,000+ affiliates nationwide. DIW raises awareness and promotes action for digital equity solutions. Communities all across the country will highlight their efforts online and in person.
#DIW2026 This year’s theme, “Sustain, Empower, Evolve: Building a Brighter Digital Future,” emphasizes the need to protect and grow our collective progress toward digital equity. By investing in our communities, building digital skills, and adapting to new technologies, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive digital future for all.
We’re living in a pivotal time for digital inclusion action, with more need for partnerships and resources than ever. Here’s a list of upcoming events that KC Digital Drive will be hosting, supported by the Health Forward Foundation, throughout the week of October 4-10, 2026.
Schedule of Events
- Oct. 2: KC Coalition for Digital Inclusion – monthly meeting
- Time: 10:30 a.m.-noon
- Location: Zoom
- Description: Virtual monthly meeting focusing on a different topic every month. October is about youth-led programs including the Digital Ambassador program, and how to build digital excellence and exposure to bridging the digital divide for young adults. Contact dlx@kcdigitaldrive.org to be added to the meeting.
- More details here
- Oct. 5: Per Scholas Computer Repair Event
- Time: 4-6 p.m.
- Location: Digital Services and Support Center @ LAMP Campus – 1801 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO (1st floor inside the Linwood entrance)
- Description: KC Digital Drive will be hosting Per Scholas at our LAMP Campus at this Computer Repair Event! Per Scholas graduates will be offering free tech assistance to the community, including spyware removal, software support/user training, hardware troubleshooting, and other Windows and Mac iOS issues. Per Scholas is a program that trains students to provide IT support in a variety of tech fields. For more information, contact Leslie Scott at lscott@kcdigitaldrive.org.
- More details here
- Oct. 6: Digital Inclusion Learning Circle
- Time: 3-4 p.m.
- Location: Hybrid – Zoom and in-person at Digital Services and Support Center @ LAMP Campus – 1801 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City, MO
- Description: Calling all digital skills instructors! Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for the Learning Circle meetings to talk about your triumphs and challenges with your fellow digital inclusion trainers in the KC metro at this informal event. We’ll spend time getting to know one another and sharing about all the great work happening in the community. At each meeting we will hear a short presentation from one to two leaders in the digital inclusion ecosystem here in Kansas City, followed by a discussion and opportunities for collaboration. In October we will be joined by Theresa Sladek with Northstar Digital Literacy, talking about a new opportunity for Kansas City prospective or current Northstar users to take advantage. There is a hybrid option in case you need to join virtually, but participating in person is preferred. We are always looking for more organizations to join this space, so reach out to Leah Henriksen on how to join and to be added to the email distribution list at lhenriksen@kcdigitaldrive.org.
- More details here
- Oct. 6: Jackson County Public Listening Session
- Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
- Location: Mid-Continent Public Library, East Lee’s Summit Branch (2240 SE Blue Pkwy., Lee’s Summit, MO)
- Description: In today’s ever-connected world, having access to the internet is the key to staying informed and unlocking countless possibilities in your digital life. To ensure its residents have full access to digital opportunities, Jackson County is developing a Broadband and Digital Equity Strategic Plan. Join us to inform Jackson County’s plan and provide feedback on the ideas proposed to be included, as well as insights on connectivity for County residents. We welcome input from staff at nonprofit organizations, libraries, hospitals and health centers, K-12 and higher education institutions, local governments and others whose work intersects in this issue, as well as people who struggle to use technology in their everyday life. For more information and to check out our other listening session dates, click here.
- To RSVP for Oct. 6, click here.
- Oct. 10: Re.Use.Full Un-Dumpster Day
- Time: 9 a.m.-1p.m.
- Location: South-Broadland Presbyterian Church (7850 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO)
- Description: Join us at the Un-Dumpster Day hosted by Re.Use.Full. Bring your electronics to recycle or to be refurbished and distributed to low-income households. Questions? Visit their website here, email hello@reusefull.org, or call 816.612.1132.
- Oct. 15: KC Digital Drive Annual Partner Celebration
- Time: 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Location: Tech Central (710 Central St., Kansas City, MO)
- Description: This year, KC Digital Drive’s annual Community Partner Celebration is heading to the basement of Tech Central. The space is still a little raw, a little unfinished, and very much a work in progress. We think that’s part of the fun. Come for good food and drinks, unexpected connections, and a chance to spend time with the people doing interesting work across the region. Our program will be a timely conversation about what Kansas City can accomplish when people across the region build together. RSVP here.