Introducing our new Digital Literacy Initative!

The Toronto Council on Aging has officially launched its new Digital Literacy Program, designed to help seniors build confidence with technology!

This initiative, made possible by a grant from the Government of Canada, is carried out in partnership with Connected Canadians, a charity dedicated to making sure seniors have free help with technology training and support and with the NORC Innovation Centre at University Health Network.

From September to March, TCA is hosting 18 interactive digital literacy workshops covering various topics, including Phishing Scams, ChatGPT, Google Maps, Youtube, Online Shopping, Banking, and more. These workshops will be hosted over Zoom, and are available in this first iteration to residents of 5 different NORCs Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) across Toronto. In addition, the program offers volunteer mentor training and certification for volunteers within these NORCs so that they can support and sustain the initiative throughout this year and beyond. Connected Canadians and the Toronto Council on Aging will train up to 15 volunteers to be certified as technology mentors for older adults. This training will occur through two modules, spanning 5 hours in length.

The importance of digital literacy has been highlighted in the Government of Canada’s recent report, “The impact of internet connectivity and technological tools on reducing seniors’ social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic and beyond”. They found that isolation and loneliness have risen sharply, with 12-30% of Canadian seniors feeling socially isolated, and 12-20% reporting regular loneliness. Technology can be part of the solution addressing this: video-calls, social media, online courses, and virtual programs have all been shown to help reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Unfortunately, many seniors still face obstacles, like lack of devices, low confidence or skill, physical challenges, cost, and concerns about privacy and safety. The government calls for a coordinated Digital Inclusion Strategy for Seniors focused on improving the affordability, access, training, and support for seniors in technology. The Toronto Council on Aging’s initiative is designed as part of this strategy, and intended to address many of the gaps outlined in the report.

This is an exciting initiative that forms part of the fabric of celebration and support that TCA is providing. Stay tuned to information from the NORC sites as they travel on this exciting journey.