Techquity: Serving Older Adults
Think of how often you log onto a computer. You turn it on, check emails, pay bills, make appointments, and write “Happy Birthday” on a friend’s social media. But what if you didn’t know how to navigate to those different sites? What if turning on your computer was something brand new to you?
For many older adults, technology can feel less like a convenience and more like a completely new language. Without years of experience using computers and digital devices, even simple tasks like turning on a laptop, navigating a keyboard, or logging in can feel overwhelming.
That’s where programs like Tech Connect make a difference.
Led by Serving Older Adults, Tech Connect provides technology education at Milwaukee County senior centers, creating a welcoming environment where older adults can build digital skills at their own pace. They start at the beginning and teach participants the basics of using a computer, from working with a mouse and keyboard to logging in and navigating their devices.
Beyond skillsets, the cost of a device can also be a significant barrier for many seniors. Through United Way’s Techquity initiative, devices can reach people who otherwise may not be able to afford them, helping ensure that access to technology isn’t determined by income.
For Kieran Furey-King, manager of Tech Connect, that hands-on support is essential.
“I want people to not feel technology is an obstacle,” Kieran says. “I want them to be able to do whatever they are interested in.”
But the impact goes beyond having a laptop. It’s about giving people the ability to connect, learn, explore, and pursue the things that matter to them.
That is the heart of Techquity: creating a community where everyone has the tools, skills, and confidence to participate in an increasingly digital world. By connecting older adults with both technology and the knowledge to use it, programs like Tech Connect help open doors and make sure no one is left behind.
Because when we work together to remove the digital divide, technology can become a bridge to greater opportunity and independence.