NYC Distributes 1,000 Wi-Fi Tablets to Seniors to Bridge the Digital Divide – NBC New York (47)

New York City gave away 1,000 WiFi-equipped computer tablets to senior New Yorkers for free. Mayor Eric Adams announced.

The initiative was done in an effort to bridge the digital divide and help them connect with city services. The distribution of tablets was carried out in Borinquen Court in the Bronx and is part of an initial 10,000-tablet distribution initiative that the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) began last October.

“Having access to the Internet and so many of the services our city offers is not a luxury, but a necessity, and today’s delivery of 1,000 tablets to older New Yorkers will finally help make that a reality for our seniors,” said Mayor Adams. “These tablets will help bridge the digital divide, provide critical services to New Yorkers and limit social isolation by allowing our seniors to stay connected and engaged with friends and family. Age shouldn’t get in the way of contact with loved ones or connection to key services, so I applaud the Department for Aging for working to keep quality of life a priority for our seniors.”

The tablet distribution is a continuation of DFTA’s long-term efforts to keep older New Yorkers connected, engaged and help limit social isolation through virtual programming and online services.

The program provides free Wi-Fi-equipped tablets to older New Yorkers who do not have an Internet-enabled electronic device and reside in a Task Force on Racial Equity and Inclusion (TRIE) neighborhood. To date, the DFTA provider network has distributed 9,000 tablets. The remaining 1,000 will provide the agency with an opportunity to reach older adults who are not connected to DFTA services or programs.

Each tablet comes with free internet service through December 31 and is preloaded with apps, including Zoom, Gmail, and the app. NYC COVID Safe. Seniors will also receive free training on their new tablets at local senior centers and learn how to connect to DFTA’s virtual programs. During the distribution event, DFTA will refer tablet recipients to the nearest senior center offering the training.

In addition to keeping seniors digitally engaged and connected, the initiative also accomplishes one of the goals outlined in the DFTA Community Care Plan: a five-year plan to expand support services to seniors and help them age gracefully. their homes and avoid institutionalization. The Community Care Plan builds on the success and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of virtual services that kept many older adults active and engaged while mitigating social isolation.

When the pandemic caused the physical closure of senior centers, senior center services transitioned to virtual programming and phone services. These virtual programs included fitness classes, art workshops, and social events attended by around 40,000 people. Providing older New Yorkers with the technology equipment they need will build on the success of virtual programming and help make it available to more older adults.

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