PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is hosting a digital resource fair on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Berkshire Athenaeum at 1 Wendell Ave.

 

The fair will offer a variety of resources that will provide community members with opportunities to learn more about lowering their internet bill, computer literacy programs for adults and children, technology tools for people with disabilities, how to navigate the internet securely, how and where to buy low-cost computers and how to find remote work.

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from a variety of organizations including but not limited to: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, Molari Employment and Healthcare Services, Berkshire County District Attorney's Office, UCP of Western Massachusetts, Can Code and Tech Goes Home.

 

Representatives from BerkshireJobs also will show how its new website works and offer advice for jobseekers. 

 

"The City of Pittsfield is committed to equitable access to government and community resources including such as online media, telehealth, online payments and banking, emergency alerts, education, etc." said Kevin Zawistowski, chief information officer. "We want to hear from all community members, including those that historically go unheard, regarding access to these resources so that we can dedicate planning and funding to break down any barriers preventing or limiting access."

 

Ensuring residents can use the internet to conduct activities of daily life from finding a job to reaching their doctor or connecting with family is the focus of the city's work to create a Digital Equity Plan.

 

"We as a city want to bridge the digital divide and provide access to communities who have historically been at a disadvantage for opportunities. Here is our chance to make it right," said Michael Obasohan, chief diversity officer.

 

The digital resource fair is free and open to the public. 

 

This event is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute and co-hosted by Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.