TSC – Get Digital

TSC - Get Digital connect our neighbors

The Topeka and Shawnee County Get Digital program provides affordable and equitable access to computer and internet equipment and services, along with technical support, training opportunities, and digital literacy services for low and moderate-income individuals and families. Through community collaboration and partnership, the program focuses on strategies and investments to create opportunities that help to reduce barriers to technology access and use with the overall goal of ensuring that all Topeka and Shawnee County residents and neighborhoods have the equipment and services needed for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to other essential health and human services.
The consortium of Community Partners (listed below) established four pillars for our work:
  1. Affordable & Equitable Access’
  2. Affordable Devices
  3. Digital Literacy & Assessment
  4. Sustainable Technical Support
Through April 2022, our focus has been on the first two pillars, publicizing the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program and working with PCs for People to collect gently used tablets, laptops, and desktops that can be refurbished for us to purchase for our qualifying neighbors in need. Our initial focus will be on qualifying neighbors aged 60 or older, who will be prequalified to receive these devices during the early summer months.
Image of the Get Digital Consortium Members
To make sure we are reaching these marginalized members of our community, we are coordinating our efforts through the City’s Community Engagement Department, a team very familiar with serving the needs of low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighbors.  In addition, four of our consortium partners also work closely with other marginalized populations (Topeka Housing Authority, Housing & Credit Counseling, Jayhawks Area Agency on Aging, and IBSA, Inc.) whose voice is included in their advocacy. The City of Topeka has partnered with leaders from the following local community organizations, in order to collaborate toward this shared vision:
  • Greater Topeka Partnership
  • Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc.
  • IBSA, Inc.
  • Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging
  • Shawnee County
  • The Topeka Shawnee County Public Library
  • Topeka Housing Authority
  • Topeka Public Schools
As additional community partners are identified, we will continue to incorporate the voices of those representing these marginalized members of our community and will empower their support efforts through a digital equity fund of contributions from grants and community partnerships.