Aging Connected: Bringing Older Adults Online
Nearly 22 million seniors over 65 lack wireline broadband access at home. This digital divide has led to serious consequences for America’s older population, restricting their ability to stay healthy, meaningfully engaged, and financially secure. Disconnection from broadband services not only limits access to essential public health information, social services, and digital healthcare services like […]
Connected NYCHA: Older Adults
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, […]
New York Public Library – Specialized Instruction for Older Adults
The New York Public Library (NYPL) was providing computer access and training for a significant number of senior citizens each year, but lacked age-specific curriculum and methodology to optimize the experience of older library visitors.
JDC-Eshel and Digital Israel
An ambitious new government initiative in Israel includes a comprehensive digital inclusion effort for marginalized populations, and JDC-Eshel, the leading nonprofit responsible for programs for older adults in the country, was asked to create a national digital literacy initiative for older adults. After a global scan, leadership from Eshel recognized that that OATS would be […]
Montgomery County, Maryland: Broadband Access and Environmental Protection
UltraMontgomery, the broadband economic development program of Maryland’s Montgomery County, supports access to high speed broadband networks and is charged with ensuring that all area residents and businesses can participate in the digital economy. Acknowledging the technology and skills gap between younger and older people, Montgomery County wanted to improve the ability of its seniors […]
Empire State Development: Senior Planet North Country
Improving broadband access in underserved areas is a priority for New York State’s economic development agency, which has invested millions of dollars to expand broadband infrastructure in the rural North Country region of the state. In order to increase its return on investment, the state agency commissioned OATS to design and implement long-term on-the-ground programming […]
Comcast: Internet Essentials
Comcast originally created the Internet Essentials program in 2011 to provide low-cost broadband service for low-income families with school-aged children. In 2016, Comcast wanted to expand eligibility for Internet Essentials to senior citizens in five pilot markets around the country, and needed a partner to support and evaluate the pilot and to create a national […]
New York City Department for the Aging
The system of community technology labs serving older New Yorkers was fragmented, lacking ongoing technical support, and in poor physical condition. In many cases, networks used outdated security and software systems, putting senior participants at risk.