‘‘Don’t leave anyone behind’’ is the call from Age Concern South Canterbury as it approaches teaching technical literacy in the community.
Age Concern South Canterbury manager Chris Thomas said the target group was the older community but technical literacy classes were there for many people.
‘‘This includes families on low incomes, seniors, Maori, Pasifika, those with disabilities and our remote communities.’’
Mr Thomas said people lived in an increasingly digital world which had been accelerated by Covid-19. Everyday services had moved online and older people, who were often less digitally connected, risked being excluded.
‘‘Shopping and all these commercial transactions, banking of course, entertainment, safety, health, information and government forms have been moved online.’’
Age Concern, along with the Timaru Library, SeniorNet, Literacy Aotearoa, Citizens Advice Bureau and Neighbourhood Support, have created an informal group to help safeguard digital inclusion for older adults to ensure that no days are lost opportunities.
‘‘We looked atwhat people need, why would they need to go online, and that they need to keep connected. It’s a real challenge to not be digitally connected now.’’
The collaboration between the groups would help the community learn the digital skills they needed and help provide digital access while helping work around barriers.
‘‘There are many barriers and a very steep learning curve. Ageism is a serious barrier to digital inclusion. Ageism limits how we think about older people.’’
From workshop the groups held it was found that many signed up to technical literacy classes that ran for a few weeks and only attended for two days as they had learned what they needed.
They also found they needed to address affordability of training, devices and connections to the internet as well as continuous support for those who were newly connected.
‘‘What we hope to do is collaborate and cross›promote each other’s services and communicate what is out there for them.
‘‘It’s just about being more focused in what people’s needs are and recommend them to the right service and sharing our different resources around.’’
Mr Thomas said older people had fewer opportunities to learn about technology and he wanted to get everyone on board with being digitally savvy.
‘‘We need to reach more people and people must have confidence that their privacy and personal data will be secure and used properly.
‘‘We need a community and business culture that considers the digital needs of older persons.’’
The classes will begin about mid-October.
