Community Tech Network Community Tech Network
Transforming Lives Through Digital Equity. DONATE
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Our Impact
    • EYR and 990s
    • CTN History
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Capacity Building
      • digitalLIFT
    • Direct Services
  • NEWS & STORIES
    • Videos
    • Case Studies
      • San Francisco Responds to COVID-19 (PDF)
      • The Pandemic Pivot (PDF)
    • Newsletters
    • CTN In the News
    • Spotlight Stories
      • Volunteer Spotlights
      • Learner Spotlights
      • Partner Spotlights
      • Funder Spotlights
      • Staff Spotlights
    • CTN Advocacy
    • Sign up for CTN eNews
  • WORK WITH US
    • Partner with Us
    • Jobs
  • Resources
    • Request a Digital Coach
    • Online Activity Calendar
    • SF Connected Calendar
    • Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Volunteer
    • Become a Digital Coach
    • Volunteer Heroes
    • Application
  • Donate
Community Tech Network Community Tech Network
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision & Values
    • Our Impact
    • EYR and 990s
    • CTN History
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Capacity Building
      • digitalLIFT
    • Direct Services
  • NEWS & STORIES
    • Videos
    • Case Studies
      • San Francisco Responds to COVID-19 (PDF)
      • The Pandemic Pivot (PDF)
    • Newsletters
    • CTN In the News
    • Spotlight Stories
      • Volunteer Spotlights
      • Learner Spotlights
      • Partner Spotlights
      • Funder Spotlights
      • Staff Spotlights
    • CTN Advocacy
    • Sign up for CTN eNews
  • WORK WITH US
    • Partner with Us
    • Jobs
  • Resources
    • Request a Digital Coach
    • Online Activity Calendar
    • SF Connected Calendar
    • Affordable Connectivity Program
  • Volunteer
    • Become a Digital Coach
    • Volunteer Heroes
    • Application
  • Donate
Jun 21
Connecting Seniors with Senior Connect

Connecting Seniors in Central Texas

  • June 21, 2021
  • Austin Partner, General, Partner Spotlights, Senior Connect

When the pandemic hit, Community Tech Network quickly changed its focus to support older adults who lack home internet access. We built a new program, called Home Connect, thanks to our longstanding partnership with the Department of Disability and Aging Services in San Francisco, who funded the staff time to develop it. Local foundations and corporations covered the cost of tablets provided to seniors.

As we built and improved this program, we started sharing our knowledge with other agencies across the country. Several groups in Austin, Texas, were the first to participate in our training for trainers program.

Through participation in the Social Inclusion Task Force in Austin, CTN developed partnerships with a few agencies that were interested in using our curriculum and replicating our Home Connect model. These agencies were awarded grants to address the social isolation experienced by older adults as a result of the stay-at-home order and participated in CTN’s training program to get started.

This led to the creation of Senior Connect, a collaboration between Senior Access, AGE of Central Texas, and CTN. Replicating nearly all aspects of the Home Connect program, Senior Connect has secured enough funding to provide 150 older adults in Central Texas with home internet, a 10-inch Android tablet, and up to 17 hours of remote digital literacy training.

As of June 17, the pilot program has had 55 referrals, 10 people have completed the five hours of basic training, and 10 are currently in various stages of training, with two more nearing completion. Senior Connect learner Patricia Blaine has this to say about the program: “There is a big world out there and now we can bring it to ourselves.”

This collaboration wouldn’t be possible without financial support from

  • All Together ATX
  • City of Pflugerville
  • Capital Area Council on Government (CAPCOG)
  • City of Austin
  • Consumer Technology Association Foundation

With only 55.3 percent of Texans age 65 and older having broadband at home, helping 150 older adults is barely scratching the surface of the need that exists. One reason for this is the lack of affordable broadband options, but lack of devices and digital skills are also factors. This means that over a million older adults in Texas can’t video chat with family, participate in telehealth, order medications and groceries, or apply online for benefits. Now is the time for us to make a difference in our community!

If you currently work with older adults and are interested in helping them get home internet, a tablet, and remote training, email inquiries@communitytechnetwork.org to learn about partnership opportunities.

Related

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Related Posts

  • From Learner to Trainer: Karen’s Senior Connect SuccessSeptember 27, 2021

Comments are closed.

CTN Stories

  • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • CTN In the News
  • Volunteer Spotlights
  • Learner Spotlights
  • Partner Spotlights
  • Funder Spotlights
  • CTN Advocacy

Stay Connected with CTN by signing up for our email list.

Recent Posts

  • Addressing Older Adults’ Fears of Technology
  • Self-Directed Learning and digitaLIFT Packages: CTN Has What You Need to Practice Digital Inclusion
  • Need Curriculum to Teach Your Technology Classes? CTN’s digitalLIFT Team Can Help!
  • 90-Year-Old Former Stock Trader Receives Digital Literacy Training from CTN
  • Train Your Organization’s Team to Help Community Members Receive Low-Cost Internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program

Follow us on Facebook

States across the US are recognizing the importance of #digitalequity & are hiring more full-time staff to focus on this crucial work. With historic levels of federal funding, the states are becoming more committed than ever to bridging the #digitaldivide. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Internationally, "#digitalinclusion is paving the way for women and other marginalised groups to participate in peace processes [because] through digital platforms, those who are unable to participate in physical meetings, such as women with children, youth or disabled, can get their voices heard." ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Community Tech Network believes that access to the Internet is a human right and that those without the skills to use a computer are at risk of social and economic disadvantage.

Contact Us

San Francisco Office
1390 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94102

General Questions
inquiries@communitytechnetwork.org
855-983-0318

Press
press@communitytechnetwork.org
855-983-0318 x 3636
Media Kit

Explore job opportunities with CTN

Send us a note:

©2023 Community Tech Network. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Proudly powered by WordPress Hosted by Pressable