Fall Seattle IT Newsletter: Digital Equity Grant application deadline, 5G Development, Generative AI Policy

Seattle Information Technology logo
photo of two people of color learning to use a computer

Apply for a Digital Equity grant by Thursday, Nov. 9

The application period is open for the 2024 Digital Equity grants. Applications are being accepted through this Thursday, November 9, 2023. The digital equity grant program, including the Technology Matching Fund and the Digital Navigator Grant, are part of the Seattle Information Technology Department (Seattle IT) Digital Equity Program. Seattle IT is a trusted partner that provides secure, reliable, and compliant technologies, enabling the City to deliver equitable and responsive services to the public. Learn more about the program and the application process by visiting our website

A transparent look into Seattle’s digital accessibility practices

The Seattle.gov website is the gateway to digital interactions with the City of Seattle. The Digital Engagement Team developed the website’s About Our Digital Properties section to provide transparency into City practices. We display analytics about the website and explain the City’s approach to all public-facing web applications. The goal of inclusivity is broken down into user experience, accessibility, digital equity, and privacy topics. These topics are also woven throughout internal policies for City staff, explaining the requirements for creating and managing digital technologies and digital content. [Keep reading] 

Digital Equity work

Digital Equity attends the Energy, Utility, and Resource Summit

photo of a black woman and a white man sitting at a table with a tablecloth that reads Seattle Information Technology

The Digital Equity Team attended the 2023 Energy, Utility and Resource Summit at the Museum of Flight on Oct 26. This event was sponsored by the City of Seattle’s Human Services Dept, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Public Utilities. It gathered a diverse group of programs, resources, services, and experts around affordability, conservation, environmental best practices, and climate justice. Seattle IT hosted a resource table, provided information, and answered questions on resources including the Affordable Connectivity Program, Low-Cost Internet options, and the Affordability Portal. Seattle IT’s Elise Kalstad was a speaker on the Seattle Affordability Portal. There were approximately 150 attendees who benefited from this summit and took materials to share with their clients.


Digital Inclusion: Building Connected Communities with Privacy Best Practices

As the leaves begin to turn colors, and the days get darker and a bit drizzlier, it can only mean that the holidays are approaching. And with the holidays and family merriment come the inevitable scams which tend to run parallel. Many of these fraud attempts seek to manipulate the… [ Keep reading ]

City of Seattle Leverages Collaboration to Accelerate 5G Deployment

The City of Seattle is enabling higher capacity wireless networks in Seattle through interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration between the City and the cellular industry. The City has worked with our industry partners for over two years to accelerate the expansion of ultrafast fifth-generation (“5G”) wireless services throughout Seattle. According to… [ Keep reading ]