The Digital Inclusion Fellowship is a one-year program where fellows learn what it takes to build a digital inclusion program in their regions, tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. Over the course of a year, fellows receive training, mentorship, and a peer network that shares challenges and opportunities.
In cohort 10, 19 fellows created spaces where community members could ask questions without feeling embarrassed, try new things, and build confidence over time. Sometimes that meant learning how to turn on a computer. Sometimes it meant gaining skills for a new job, or helping a child with homework online.
Across this cohort, 19 fellows reached 5,745 participants, delivered 12,968 hours of training, and distributed 2,775 devices. The work shows up in individual moments—when something clicks, and access turns into opportunity.
Here are a few of those stories.
Also read: Digital inclusion after the Digital Equity Act was scrapped
Project
Tech Ready Nation helps people build the digital skills necessary to survive and thrive in a tech-driven world. The project brings together existing resources—from “this is a computer” to “this is AI”—into one place. Instead of reinventing the wheel, it aggregates resources from multiple providers, supports digital navigator training, and helps organizations better serve their communities.
Impact
“The wide-ranging world of digital skills can be overwhelming. People don’t always know what’s possible or where to start. Tech Ready Nation became a menu of what’s possible. The moment when someone finds a resource that takes a weight off their shoulders—that’s what sticks with me.”
Project
My project is about working with the Spanish-speaking community, especially people who are vulnerable. Many times they do not know how to read or write in their own language, and in order to access resources or apply for jobs, they have to use a computer but do not know how to turn one on.
Impact
One case that impacted me a lot was a person who had been volunteering for a long time and was finally given the opportunity to work, regardless of her immigration status. But there was a problem—she had to use a computer to enter information about participants. She would constantly ask if I knew about computer classes.
Fortunately, I started my project in collaboration with Free Geek. She was able to learn and receive her own computer. Now she is very happy and tells me that because she has a computer at home, she can continue practicing what they teach her at work and upload families’ information without any problem.
Project
As a Digital Inclusion Fellow, I led initiatives that expanded digital access and STEM education for low-income families across Utah. Through programs like Triunfa en Tecnología and Tech for All, we worked with entire families—children, youth, and parents—to build digital literacy and technology skills together.
We provided hands-on training in coding, robotics, and digital tools, and distributed laptops to students without access to devices so they could continue learning from home. Over the course of the fellowship, we served hundreds of students and delivered thousands of hours of instruction.
Impact
Madelayne is a 12-year-old Tech Creator, bilingual, and full of initiative when it comes to proposing ideas. She stands out for actively participating in classes.
She has been a student at Club Ability since 2022, where she discovered her passion for programming, with Minecraft Education being her favorite subject. She has also volunteered in different Club Ability activities.
In recognition of her dedication, we awarded her a laptop. She has since participated as a speaker at conferences like Triumph in Technology.
Project
My Digital Inclusion Fellowship project expanded digital skills courses at Literacy KC with a focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship. We introduced six-week courses in Canva and QuickBooks, giving students hands-on experience with tools that support career advancement. Participants also received one-year subscriptions to both platforms.
Impact
A participant came into my first Canva class saying she “hates computers.” She would often get frustrated during class, but she kept coming back.
Later, I learned she was in recovery and working at a sober-living house. She had been told that improving her computer skills could help her move into a management role.
After earning her Canva certification, she was proud of how far she had come. She ended up getting a promotion and continued taking additional computer courses.
Project
Our project focused on addressing the need for digital literacy in our community. We developed culturally responsive curricula, offered workshops in Spanish, and distributed devices. Through guest speakers, interactive projects, and community partnerships, we worked to make digital literacy more accessible and engaging.
We also opened a community technology center where participants could access devices during workshops and continue learning.
Impact
We had participants who attended almost every session. One in particular was an older woman who loved coming in to learn.
One day, we piloted a Canva resume workshop in English. Even though she didn’t understand the language, she still showed up and said she wanted to learn as much as she could.
We sat together, and I helped her through the basics. She ended up creating a flyer and had so much fun being creative. She left with a completed project and asked us to offer the workshop again in Spanish.
