THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE
Get Connected: Remote Resource Fair
Watch a recording of the event:
About the event
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Get Connected: Remote Resource Fair on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Hosted by Aging Connected, an initiative of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, with support from Comcast, this webinar featured experts who shared information about low-cost internet programs, government benefit programs, and free technology training and resources. Learn more about the speakers and participating organizations.
Attendees had a chance to win one of fifteen Chromebook laptops. You can find the contest rules here: www.agingconnected.org/get-connected-contest-rules
Getting and Staying Connected
Connectivity now is more important than ever. The pandemic proved that older adults who do have internet make very good use of it. Being locked down for a year forced older adults to adopt technology overnight – it was the only way to stay connected to family, friends, and the outside world.
In January 2021, OATS and the Humana Foundation released a report, “Aging Connected: Exposing the Hidden Connectivity Crisis for Older Adults,” which found that 22 million U.S. seniors — representing 42 percent of the nation’s over-65 population — lacked broadband access at home.
Despite this huge digital divide among seniors in America, there’s room for optimism.
In early 2022, President Biden signed into law a bipartisan infrastructure bill that includes $65 billion to improve high-speed internet access and affordability. The bill changes the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) into a permanent benefit program. Called the Affordable Connectivity Program, it expands the number of Americans eligible for discounted Internet service.
