In their rush to be all things cool and trendy, mobile networks and broadband providers are overlooking an important market, the over 55s, with the result that the digital divide continues to widen across sectors of our society.
Not so in Drogheda, Co Louth, however, where almost 755 people aged over 55, including a party of 25 nuns from the Medical Missionaries of Mary, have taken advantage of a little-known government scheme to become adept in the arts of mobile and internet technologies.
The scheme, run by the Department of An Taoiseach, has in the past two years funded the Drogheda Partnership Company with over €100,000 to address a critical societal divide and boost inclusion. The funding came under an Information Society Initiative called Access Skills and Content.
The scheme, which includes internet surfing, digital photography and gadget classes, has also attracted support from Meteor. Staff from the operator’s local store participated in the training and gave the classes free phone credit.
According to Ina McCrumlish, who runs the course, a total of 755 people have attended 93 training groups and there’s a waiting list of over 140 eager learners.
She says the pent-up demand for technology training for over-55s has meant the scheme may be widened to the greater Louth area and even has national potential.
“What we’ve found is there’s a whole generation of people who are missing out on the digital revolution. Over-55s should be given a chance to embrace this tidal wave,” says McCrumlish.
McCrumlish says the Drogheda Partnership Company received €47,640 from the Department of An Taoiseach last year and €55,000 the previous year........”
Read the rest of the article at siliconrepublic.com
The ASC (Access, Skills and Content) Initiative ran in 2006, and 2007, while there are no details on the departments website for 2008 or 2009, it may be one to keep an eye on.
Courses.ie have providers that run courses on computer training for all ages. In fact all courses for beginners . They don't ignore the silver surfers :-)
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