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| - __NOINDEX__ Computers for Seniors is a program to help seniors become computer savvy. By providing up to six classroom training sessions, a free computer, and $100.00 towards access, seniors will be able to access the information and services that they need, increase self sufficiency, decrease isolation, and forge relationships with other seniors and youth in the community. A support network has been set up so that if anyone has questions or problems with their computer applications, help is only a phone call away.
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| abstract
| - __NOINDEX__ Computers for Seniors is a program to help seniors become computer savvy. By providing up to six classroom training sessions, a free computer, and $100.00 towards access, seniors will be able to access the information and services that they need, increase self sufficiency, decrease isolation, and forge relationships with other seniors and youth in the community. A support network has been set up so that if anyone has questions or problems with their computer applications, help is only a phone call away. This program allows seniors to interact electronically through email and the internet. By providing training and a computer, we are helping seniors gain and hone skills that will enable them to stay connected, not just with family and friends, but with the community and the world. Computers for Seniors is a project that has been developed for seniors interested in computers and the internet but do not have the resources to purchase their own basic computer, internet and email training, a free computer from Industry Canada is set up in their home or residence, and once basic training has started, the internet funding is provided for a set period of time. This program makes it possible for seniors to communicate with family and friends who use computers in their day to day lives, and also to access information on government, community and private sector services through the use of email and the internet. They will learn how to use websites like www.seniorsinfo.ca which has been specially developed for seniors, their family members and caregivers. Seniors will learn and be capable of using email, word processing, computer games and be able to search the World Wide Web. They will gain the opportunity of being able to meet and interact with other seniors as they learn computer skills and techniques. The Canadian Seniors Partnership, a national governance body including federal, provincial and municipal government representaitves sponsored the creation of the collaborative seniors portal Network in “Brockville”. The collaborative Seniors Portal Network is a website where seniors can get information on municipal, provincial and federal services and programs. www.seniorsinfo.ca A symposium was held in Brockville, Ontario in the fall of 2004 where initiatives and ideas were brought forward to nation wide members of the Canadian Seniors Partnership assembly. One of the top possible programs was Computers for Seniors. David LeSueur became Project Lead and asked individuals to join a Committee and thus the program was formed. Project Initiation The project was initiated in Brockville at the Canadian Seniors Partnership Symposium in September of 2004. Support was shown for the initiative to help seniors acquire computers. The proposal came from the fact that the Seniors Portal website was such a great success. With more cities and municipalities wanting to expand the project, new components needed to be developed. The core idea of a CSP website worked, but what good is a website if only so many can access it? Thus, the idea for Computers for Seniors was initiated, providing seniors with free computers and required training. A pilot project for CFS in Brockville, led by a local municipal project lead and made up of local municipal and NPO committee members along with federal and provincial partners, has been highly successful to date and was transitioned from roll-out to maintenance phases in February 2007. This business pamphlet and instruction manual is designed to lay the foundation and roadmap for expansion of the CFS program into other municipalities in Ontario and Canada. Pilot project launched in Brockville, population (22,000) Project Started in Kingston (80,000), Gananoque (5,000), and Kemptville (10,000) “Since internet installation, I have sent emails, received emails from old friends in L.A., USA, Lander, B.C., Victoria B.C., Toronto, Oakville, and from several other local relatives and friends.” – Participant of Computers for Seniors Since the initial implementation of Computers for Seniors, Brockville successfully ran the first session of the program in March of 2006. The program consisted of up to six two hour classroom training sessions, held at an accessible location, a free computer, and six months of free internet access. Also a support network was set up so that if seniors had any questions or problems and needed troubleshooting they were able to access help easily by phone. Current Status and Future of CFS: • Received a $25,000 grant from New Horizons Program for the City of Brockville • Project lead, David LeSueur will be visiting up to 20 different municipalities to introduce CFS with hopes of each considering participation • Municipalities that are interested in joining collaboration with CFS will need to fill in a survey showing what their municipality can support • Once the consulting period is complete, the anticipation of CFS becoming a nationally ran program will gradually be fulfilled “This has opened up a whole new world for me. I am able to be closer to my family, especially my grandchildren.” – Participant of Computers for Seniors
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