DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit group is promoting awareness of the importance of internet access for everyone.
The 5th annual Detroit Digital Inclusion Week is hosted by Connect 313 starting October 2 at Wayne State University.
Connect 313 is a partnership formed in 2020 between the City of Detroit, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Rocket Community Fund and is sponsored by Microsoft, Comcast, Verizon and Wayne State University.
The mission of Connect 313 is to "bridge the digital divide in Detroit", according to their website.
Connect 313 Executive Director Vittoria Katanski said there are still about 90,000 people in Detroit that are not connected to the internet.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a government program that helps approximately 124,000 people in Detroit get online. The program, which was started during the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to run out of funding in 2024, Connect 313 says.
People who don't aren't connected to the internet are at risk of not having access to vital services and information, according to Katanski.
City taxes and water bills are now being paid online, Katanski said, creating a new concern for people without access to the internet.
“All of the things you would normally be able to send a check in or something like that, have moved to an online system,” Katanski said.
A lack of internet access can decrease the number of job opportunities, an inability to use certain educational tools and prevent people from being able to benefit from telehealth services.
“It's really a human right at this point to do your job, to go to school, healthcare, all of the above,” Katanski said.
The 5th annual Detroit Digital Inclusion Week will run through October 6.