Dig-IT - Empowering Seniors on Their Digital Journey

THE DIG-IT SOLUTION - Helping seniors connect to the digital world

Dig-IT has been carefully designed as a solution for seniors requiring assistance to access technology and support to build digital skills. This program is ideally suited to older adults who will benefit from learning basic, essential digital literacy skills such as connecting to Wi-Fi, tablet gestures, using the camera, and accessing email and the internet.

DIG-IT PARTICIPANTS WILL:

• Receive a tablet on loan for the duration of the program
• Receive a limited data plan for 6 months
• Have an email account created in their name
• Have access to online and printed course materials to master the basics of their device, the internet and key applications
• Have the support of volunteer Digital Coaches to walk them through the courses
• Have a year long subscription to BestBuy’s Geek Squad for technical support
• Enjoy connecting with the digital world!

If you are an eligible organization (Care Homes, Seniors Centres, Community Centres, Charitable organization etc.) you can apply to become a partner and receive the program on behalf of low-income seniors that you serve.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Applications are reviewed monthly.
• If your application is approved, it will take approximately 4-6 weeks to coordinate participant intake and delivery of devices.
• We do most of the heavy lifting – but we require your support for participant intake, device delivery, testimonial collection, program close-out, and evaluation. We can offer a small administrative stipend for this assistance.
• General program duration is 6 months. Please make sure the participants you have in mind are prepared for this commitment.
• Your organization will be asked to confirm that seniors who would participate in the program are low income.
• You must apply on behalf of participants in increments of 4.
• You can apply for a maximum of 40 participants at this time.
• While we are working to translate our materials and make Dig-IT available in more languages, currently the online courses are only available in English.
• We ask that you identify volunteers in your network who are interested in becoming a Digital Coach for your community and others. This keeps our program growing and allows us to help more seniors cross the digital divide.
• Please note that HelpAge Canada makes an effort to assess and award applications ensuring equal representation throughout Canada.

READ MORE HERE