City Releases Videos in Five Languages to Help ABQ Students Connect to WiFi

ALBUQUERQUE – The City of Albuquerque is releasing a series of instructional videos to help students connect to the City’s free WiFi hotspots.

In addition to English, the videos have been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. These instructional videos will help students connect to the City’s free WiFi hotspots from their laptops, tablets, and phones. The City translated the videos into the most-spoken languages in Albuquerque, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

“It’s been almost a year since our children have been in public classrooms, and every day can be a challenge for families because of the immense digital divide. No matter what language you speak or neighborhood you live in, we’re using WiFi hotspots to give you the bandwidth to download assignments, watch videos, communicate with teachers and other students, and turn in your work,” said Mayor Tim Keller.

In April, the City rolled out its “WiFi on Wheels” program, placing mobile WiFi units at APS schools and extending WiFi capabilities outside of City facilities. In December, the Keller administration expanded free WiFi for residents with “WiFi in Neighborhoods” and “WiFi in Parks” with outdoor internet connections in Albuquerque Housing Authority neighborhoods and select public parks in areas of particular digital need.

“Children of color and children of immigrants and refugees more often than not lack essentials like WiFi in the home. Our goal is to ensure access to services like the City’s WiFi hotspots,” said Michelle Melendez, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. “These videos are going to help students who most need access WiFi be successful.”

Find the videos on the Office of Equity and Inclusion’s website, the City’s YouTube page, and on Gov TV. The videos were produced in cooperation with the City’s Department of Technology and Innovation, Gov TV, and the Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs.

To see a full list of the City’s WiFi Access Points, visit http://www.cabq.gov/wifi.

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