Online Government – Offline Older People?

Response from WEA’s Digital Age Project Coordinator, Healy King

Digital Exclusion of Older People

Older people 65+ are the most digitally excluded part of our population.

2/3 of older people in sheltered accommodation have no access to ICT. (NIACE 2010)

Similar findings in our research Visits with 16 housing schemes Focus groups -116 older people total

Barriers to Inclusion

Access Skills Understanding purpose Attitude

“I’m too old” “I’m afraid I’ll break it” “I have no interest – that’s for young people” “I’m too stupid to learn” “I don’t want people knowing my business” “The internet is dangerous”

Ashley Court group discusses how the course should go.

Convincing and Arm-twisting

Awareness raising visits & demonstrations

Make it easy to attend - we bring the learning to you! Equipment and tutors!

Group learning and an ethos of helping your neighbour – peer support.

Immediately demonstrating relevance

Well, would you look at that!

WEA’s Approach

Community based learning Informal in approach and setting Peer support Topics of the groups’ choosing

Methods for Sustainability Involving others – the housing association Local schools Family members Volunteers

With a little help from my friends…

Camberwell Ladies & Star Youth Group

Reaching the ‘Hard to Reach’

‘Digital by default’ will impact those most at risk.

A problem that will be resolved with time? E-government and e-inclusion should go

hand in hand. Support for organisations to provide tailored

training for hard to reach groups.

Try it - you’ll like it!

Healy KingDigital Age Project

Workers’ Educational Associationwww.wea-ni.com

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