OATS is committed to serving diverse older adult populations. The Senior Planet licensing program, with over 480 license sites in 36 states, serves every kind of community and reflects the diversity of older adults nationwide. Senior Planet partners are united by a shared commitment to innovation and excellence, with each site offering tailored solutions based on local needs. From urban centers to rural communities, these partners exemplify how local knowledge and cultural sensitivity can create powerful digital programs for older adults.
The diversity among Senior Planet’s licensees spans geographic, cultural, and demographic boundaries. For instance, in the Gila River Indian Community near Phoenix, Arizona, Digital Connect—the licensing program’s first Tribal partner—focuses on bridging the digital divide among Indigenous elders. The community, home to about 14,000 residents primarily from the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh tribes, faced high mortality rates during the pandemic, underscoring the urgent need for digital literacy. “There is a very strong need for foundational digital skills among our elders,” says Amanda MacDonald, Program Manager. She emphasizes that cultural awareness and listening are key to her work, “Participants often preface their questions by telling me the story of how technology came to be in their lives…They are here to learn but also to be heard.”
In an urban setting, Friends of Parkside (FOP), on Detroit’s east side, offers classes in the community center of the Villages at Parkside, a public housing complex with 145 households. Zachary Rowe, CEO of FOP, grew up in the Parkside community. Knowing that seniors do best with guided learning, he sought a sustainable training partnership. “Here we let seniors do the driving,” Rowe said. “Devices can’t solve the digital divide by themselves. We needed a partner to provide training and tech support, and when we found Senior Planet, it was a no brainer.”
OATS also has 34 rural license partner sites nationwide. With a population of around 61,000, Virginia’s Pittsylvania County is almost completely rural. The county library system, established in 1939, is a Senior Planet licensee with five branches. Tim Rogers, a branch manager and program administrator, understands the community’s unique character. “About 25 percent of residents are over the age of 50, and many were born and raised here,” he said. “Our libraries are like community center for seniors, who use the computers to pay bills online or FaceTime with their grandchildren.”
OATS understands that language can be a significant challenge for non-English speakers when learning tech skills. At least 12 Senior Planet licensed partners serve non-English speaking communities, and OATS recently announced that half of its award-winning programs are now offered in languages other than English.
Through the licensing program, we are proud to serve communities that reflect the diversity of older adults. It is a testament to the sustainability and power of the licensing model that aging service providers, who are experts in understanding the needs of older adults in their communities, can uplift their work through Senior Planet’s award-winning curriculum and training. Through their collaborative efforts, these diverse partners are building a future where all older adults have the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.