Low-income older New Yorkers without affordable internet connectivity options are unable to access information or services and have a higher risk of being negatively impacted by COVID-19. The Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer’s (MOCTO) New York City Internet Master Plan found that more than 1.5 million New Yorkers, or 18% of all households, do not have home or mobile broadband.
For NYCHA Residents:
MOCTO and NYCHA partnered with T-Mobile and LG Electronics USA to provide tablets to 10,000 older NYCHA residents. In partnership with the NYC Department for the Aging, OATS is helping tablet recipients set up and learn how to use their devices to access free resources and engage with friends and family. OATS is also offering ongoing support through a free, multilingual hotline; training courses; and daily programs to help seniors make the most of their new devices.For Aging Service Providers:
As a leader in digital training for older adults, OATS is providing ongoing capacity building to aging service providers. Through a series of free, interactive presentations, professionals learn best practices for offering virtual programming and have the opportunity to share obstacles and successes from their own experiences.