Up to 300 people attended the Silver Surfer Awards Imagine IT conference in Croke Park in late September 2009 organized by older people’s charity
Age Action. Speakers emphasized that IT skills are as important as literacy and numeracy. Knowledge is Power and over 55’s must empower ourselves or we will be left behind. ICT is important for the development of the individual and society.
By pursuing a course in IT you learn how to keep in touch
with friends and family through E-mail and Skype, you can do business on line – tax and insure your car, fill a tax form, trade on Ebay, book flights and accommodation, secure your boarding pass - all done from the security and comfort of your home.
Fear, lack of understanding, IT jargon, cost, Internet security are all barriers that prevent older people from embracing modern technology. Courses should be friendly and flexible suitable to the participants’ needs.
Brendan Smith, our passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic teacher tries to dispel all fears surrounding IT. Brendan nominated me to represent R.T.A. Galway at the conference for one of the awards. We were short listed to 3. We didn’t win but I felt privileged to represent Galway. The awards were presented by the Minister for Older People Áine Brady, formerly Áine Kitt from Caltra Ballinsloe.
Remember Digital Inclusion brings Social Inclusion.
Mary Kyne,
September 2009.