Digital Equity Initiative Hosts Train the Trainer Workshop
 Attendees at the June 6th Train the Trainer workshop listen to a speaker.
The Digital Equity Initiative in partnership with Connected Nation hosted a half-day seminar on June 6 for Digital Equity Coalition members at the Fairlington Community Center.
The training focused on best-practice approaches for teaching a basic digital skills curriculum, including presentation styles, event logistics, common barriers for learners, adapting materials on the fly, and surveying/reporting.
Eighteen individuals attended, including staff from the Department of Human Services, Arlington Public Libraries, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Computer CORE, Wesley Housing, AHC, Inc., True Ground Housing Partners, the English Empowerment Center, the Alliance for Arlington Seniors, and the Youth Democracy Institute.
Attendees either offer some form of digital literacy training or are contemplating starting such programming. They expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn tools and tricks to share with their organizations.
Arlington County Accepts Visionary Trailblazer Award at Net Inclusion Conference
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named Arlington County a 2024 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, an award that recognizes communities for the breadth and innovation in their digital inclusion work. Arlington accepted the award at the 2025 Net Inclusion Conference in May. The award honored the County's targeted programming, community grants, data-informed research and strategy, and dedicated local resources.
|
The Net Inclusion Conference is a staple in the digital inclusion community, bringing hundreds of practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers together to share their knowledge, discuss best-practice approaches to delivering programming, and build relationship and community among participants.
If you touch digital inclusion in any way (or would like to), this is the event for you! Consider joining Arlington’s Digital Equity Initiative and others in the DMV at the 2026 Net Inclusion Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
|
Coalition Member Spotlight
Department of Technology Services Presents an Overview of AI
On June 23, the Arlington County Public Library welcomed nearly 100 attendees for an engaging and accessible session on artificial intelligence, led by Holly Hartell, Interim Director of Arlington's Department of Technology Services (DTS), and David Herlihy, DTS Division Chief of Innovation and Cloud.
The event opened with an introduction to AI fundamentals—covering terms like machine learning, generative AI, and prompt engineering—paired with clear, jargon-free examples of how these technologies are already shaping everyday life.
David and Holly intentionally connected technical language with relatable scenarios to help participants build confidence in recognizing and understanding AI concepts in real-world contexts. They emphasized that while AI is transforming how we work and live, it is essential to approach it with awareness and responsibility, especially when it comes to privacy and safety.
|
The second half of the session spotlighted Arlington County’s current AI initiatives. The tone was both optimistic and grounded — AI is not a distant concept, but a present-day tool that, when implemented thoughtfully, can enhance public service and digital inclusion. The session ended with an open Q&A, encouraging community voices and reinforcing the importance of transparency and shared learning in the digital age.
Does your organization have good news to spotlight? Nominate it by filling out this form.
|
Spread the Word & Stay Informed
Know any neighbors, friends, or colleagues who might be interested in Arlington County’s Digital Equity Initiative? Forward this newsletter and invite them to subscribe using this link.
Find news and info about the Initiative and its milestones, plus continuously updated lists of resources, on the Digital Equity Initiative Homepage.
For more updates about Community Planning, Housing and Development in Arlington County, including announcements from the Digital Equity Initiative, follow Plan Arlington VA on X (Twitter).
Questions or ideas? Contact us at DigitalEquity@arlingtonva.us.
|
