Guide to Digital Inclusion in Fairfax County

Introduction

Fairfax County’s commitment to the expansion and enhancement of technology skills for learners of all ages is part of the Countywide Strategic Plan. Moreover, eliminating barriers to access and an intentional consideration of equity as it relates to use of technology is integral to the One Fairfax policy.

Digital equity ensures opportunities for Fairfax County residents to participate and engage in a connected community. The ability to access, understand and use digital tools is essential for many tasks in modern life, including applying for jobs, paying bills, enjoying recreational activities, completing homework, staying informed and connecting with government/community services.

In Fairfax County describes, the ideal state of digital equity as:

Affordable digital hardware and connections
Awareness of digital resources and services

Access to specific digital tools
Advancement of digital literacy skills

Celebrate Fairfax shares a commitment to digital literacy as part of our mission to build a vibrant community. This guide was created to help outline and promote the opportunities to access digital equity in Fairfax County.

ICON KEY:

Free WiFi

Access Technology Equipment

Digital Literacy Training

Fairfax County Resources

Access Fairfax

Access Fairfax provides resources for residents, who otherwise would not have access to current technology.

Access Fairfax locations enable participants to access the internet to connect to a variety of Fairfax County e-Services, prepare resumes and search for jobs and much more.

Access Fairfax Site

This stand-alone Access Fairfax site is designed to provide the public with computer access.

8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 125, Alexandria, VA 22309

703-704-7080, TTY 711

Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM

LEARN MORE

Community Partner Locations

The following Community Partner sites are located at community facilities and are made possible through partnership of the hosting community organizations.

Public computer access is available during non-afterschool program hours (typically Monday – Friday, between 2:30 and 4 PM). Please contact each location directly for details on individual program hours and site capabilities:

Kingsley Commons Computer Technology Program (only available for access by residents)
3037B Monticello Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042
703-698-1496, TTY 711
Monday – Friday, 11 AM – 7 PM

Yorkville Computer Technology Program (only available for access by residents)
3150 Draper Drive – Clubhouse, Fairfax, VA 22031
703-278-0076, TTY 711
Monday, 1 to 7 PM; Tuesday–Friday, 2 – 7 PM

Chantilly Computer Technology Program
4101 Elmwood Street, Chantilly, VA 20151
703-378-4286, TTY 711
Monday, 1 to 6 PM; Tuesday–Friday, 2 – 6 PM

COMMUNITY PARTNER LOCATIONS

Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS)

NCS offers a variety of programs to access free Wi-Fi and learn computer skills.

NCS Centers

The NCS Senior Centers, Community Centers and Teen Centers offer free Wi-Fi. Outdoor parking lot access will also be available soon.

FIND A CENTER NEAR YOU

The Community Technology Program

The Computer Technology Program is designed to enhance the digital literacy among children and adults in underserved communities throughout Fairfax County. The After-School Program offers a structured environment for technology education and academic support for children and teens.

Staff also host workshops and provide specialized instruction for adults during the day.

FIND LOCATION

Technology Education for Older Adults

NCS offers a wide variety of technology training courses at each of our Senior Centers. This initiative offers training on a variety of topics, including:

Basic computer skills (internet use, email, etc.)
The use of mobile devices (phones, tablets, etc.)
Using Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
Photography (taking and sharing photos as well as managing photo libraries)
Accessing county services online
and many more!

Classes are designed to meet the needs and interests expressed by the community at each center and schedules vary depending on the location.

CLASS CALENDARS

Fairfax County Public Library

The Fairfax County Public Library offers free Wi-Fi access, computer use and loaning, and free programs and events to teach digital literacy.

Library Branch Wi-Fi

Every branch of the Fairfax County Public Library provides free Wi-Fi during regular library branch hours. Additionally, 20 library branches have free outdoor Wi-Fi available everyday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., even when the branches are not open.

FIND A BRANCH & LIBRARY HOURS

Connect Kits- Chromebook and Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending

Fairfax County Public Library is pleased to offer Chromebook computers and Wi-Fi Hotspots for borrowing by the public. Connect Kits can be checked out by Fairfax County residents and reciprocal card holders who are 18 and older.

LEARN MORE & REQUEST KIT

Tech Programs and Classes

The library offers classes and one-on-one technology support. To find an upcoming class, view the library calendar and filter by category: Make/Create> Technology.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & CLASSES

Online Technology Resources

These online-learning resources offer computer and technology classes to learn at your own pace. These platforms are FREE with your library card (and a library card is free).

LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY

UNIVERSAL CLASS

LINKEDIN LEARNING

Nonprofit Resources

If you are connected to a nonprofit whose work includes digital equity efforts, please let us know and we will add you to this guide! Please email Marketing@CelebrateFairfax.Org with your organization name, program details and link.

Celebrate Fairfax

Celebrate Fairfax seeks to build a vibrant community for all, with digital equity one of several dozen community impact areas they support in their work.

Celebrate Fairfax is part of the Fairfax County Committee for the 2023 National Digital Inclusion Week. They also launched a CF Engage Community Grant for digital inclusion in 2023.

The PARC at Tysons, the headquarters of Celebrate Fairfax, features free WiFi inside, at The Patio(front), and at The Backyard (rear) placemaking spaces.

Fairfax County Council PTA

The Fairfax County Council PTA (FCCPTA) is the Council level of the National PTA membership organization, sitting between the FCPS Local Unit PTAs and Virginia PTA.

FCCPTA works with all the PTA’s in Fairfax County as well as conducts their own programming, events and advocacy per their bylaws. FCCPTA works with Local Units to provide translated materials, as well as bilingual meetings and presentations.

Edu-Futuro

Edu-Futuro is a nonprofit serving Northern Virginia, with a variety of programs for immigrant youth and their families.

The Workforce Development Services (WDS) program includes digital literacy workshops part of the Tech for Parents curriculum.

Corporate Resources

Learn how corporations in our area express a commitment to digital equity. Each of the companies below also participate in The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal government program that provides a discount on monthly high-speed internet service bills for qualifying low-income households. View each company’s ACP program using the buttons below.