Driving Through The Barriers To IT
The
Computer Explorers
are the first of many projects being delivered by
Web Aware,
a three-year partnership set up between Age Concern and Barclays, the UK's
leading online bank. The Computer
Explorer project is supported by UK
online, the national drive to enable everyone in the UK to make the most of the
Internet.
Wider access to IT and the Web
are key to eradicating social exclusion for marginalised groups. The Web has
huge potential to deliver both commercial and public services to older people,
enabling them to live more independently, participate in our changing society
and narrow the IT gap between the generations.
The benefits of the IT revolution are just beginning to reach older people with
currently 11% of those aged over 65 and 37% aged between 55 and 64 enjoying
access to the Internet. This compares to 53% of the total UK population who are
now online. An increasing number of services are being offered online, though
many older people continue to face barriers of cost, physical impairment and a
fear of new technology. Without progressive initiatives like the
Computer Explorers,
older people risk becoming social excluded.
The project, delivered by Age Concern Training, is set to introduce thousands of
older people and their carers to the benefits of computers and the Internet over
the next three years. Age Concern Training provides vital training opportunities
to take Age Concern's work directly into the community.
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