Community Members Invited to Attend Barnstable Digital Equity Events 

Events offered in Cotuit, Hyannis, and West Barnstable 

What is your internet like? Is it reliable and affordable? Do you have the skills you need to use your smart phone or computer? What would improve your online experiences? 

The Town of Barnstable is working with the Cape Cod Commission to develop a municipal digital equity plan to assess the digital divide across the community and to identify opportunities to advance digital equity. The goal is to better understand the challenges that community members face with the internet and technology and to identify solutions that ensure all have access to the information technology needed to fully participate in our community. 

Community participation is a critical component of this planning effort. Residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend an upcoming event to learn about the digital equity plan and contribute to the development of the plan through group exercises and conversations.  Discussion topics will include internet availability, affordability, and reliability; technology and devices necessary for civic, social, and economic life; and skills to participate safely, confidently, and effectively online. Light refreshments will be served.  

Three events are scheduled in the Town of Barnstable: 

Connectivity and Creativity: Digital Equity Community Workshop 
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Cotuit Center for the Arts; 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit MA 
Join the Town of Barnstable, Cotuit Center for the Arts, and the Cape Cod Commission for a morning of dialogue and creativity as we consider the impact of the internet and technology on our livelihoods. This workshop will include a brief presentation about the Town of Barnstable’s digital equity plan, followed by robust group discussions and activities inspired by our artistic surroundings. Refreshments will be provided.  

Digital Equity Pop-Up  
Thursday, November 14, 2024 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 
Hyannis Youth and Community Center; 141 Bassett Lane, Hyannis MA 
An educational pop-up table will be offered at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center to share information about the digital equity plan and to gain perspective from community members to inform this effort. Interactive activities, educational resources, and snacks will be provided.  

Community Digital Equity Workshop 
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 
West Barnstable Community Building; 2377 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, MA 
Join the Town of Barnstable and the Cape Cod Commission for an educational and interactive workshop to inform the town’s digital equity plan. The event will kick-off with a presentation about the Town of Barnstable’s connectivity landscape, followed by facilitated group discussion around challenges and opportunities related to internet access and adoption. Sandwiches and other light refreshments will be provided. 

Once finalized, the Municipal Digital Equity Plan will prepare the Town of Barnstable for funding opportunities and guide decision-making, investment, and implementation. For more information and to submit comments online, visit: cccom.link/barnstable-de. 

This initiative is committed to facilitating equitable community participation. Please contact the Cape Cod Commission at phone at (508) 362-3828 or email frontdesk@capecodcommission.org, in advance of the meeting to discuss accommodations that would support your participation. For example, the Cape Cod Commission can provide language assistance (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print, as available) and accommodations for people with disabilities to ensure accessibility.   

This project is funded by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute at the MassTech Collaborative under the Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program. Funding was provided by Massachusetts ARPA State Fiscal Recovery Fund.