CHAT and Digital Connections Program: Serving California
Digital disconnectedness is a national crisis that exacerbates social divisions and inequalities. For older adults, the coronavirus pandemic was a stark reminder of the impact of the digital divide. Tens of millions of older adults endured loneliness and social isolation, with no access to telehealth, banking or other online services including digital skills training, a […]
Multilingual Training for Low-Income Seniors In Santa Clara County
Even as more older adults learn how to use technology and engage online, millions of seniors are still on the wrong side of the digital divide. These individuals are at risk of isolation and loneliness, and lack access to critical health services and other online assets that enhance health and wellbeing. For many of these […]
Verizon’s Digital Inclusion Initiative: Transforming Lives with 1:1 Tech Support for Older Adults
These days, everything from banking to healthcare and finding a job happens online. For older adults, digital skills training helps to increase economic security and end social isolation. When older adults are supported in learning even basic digital skills, they are better equipped to maintain health and wellness, find jobs, explore entrepreneurship, and engage in […]
ARPA Grant: Helping Older San Antonians Recover From The Pandemic
The Challenge: Technology access is a critical need for older adults. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and “shelter in place” mandates, senior centers were shuttered, travel reduced, caregivers strained, and older adults, in San Antonio and elsewhere, bore a disproportionate risk of isolation, illness, and death. Across the nation, older adults accounted for over […]
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 […]