1. Two Internet initiatives were highlighted - one at national level by a national charity Age Concern and the other by Glasgow City called Real.
   
2. New UK Disability legislation that should make Internet access easier for many older people.
   
3. Computer Buddies' presentations on the key elements of their approach.
   

Age Concern is the most powerful independent organisation that represents the interests of older people in the country and promotes active citizenship. It is determined to open up the internet to all older people including the elderly housebound. It has developed the first chat site in the UK to include such people. By a variety of special online events, it enables their voices to be heard on-line by politicians, decision makers and experts - www.bbb.org.uk It has produced a free Guide to the internet - details at www.ageconcern.org.uk/ageconcern/staying_249.htm and can deliver Mobile Internet Taster Sessions using laptops in care homes and community centres.

Jo Cowan - Lochaber Age Concern Co-ordinator: Highlands of Scotland "I've been involved in a project using computers in our local library. I've recruited 6 buddies to support people using email and the Internet. Each person receives support over 6 hours for 6 weeks, then we hold a once-monthly club meeting so they get encouragement from each other. Our first 12 finished just before Christmas. They are now registered in the library so have free access."

"I give training supported by a team of 14 volunteers. The first thing is to overcome the fear factor and realise you can learn very quickly in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. People usually donate £2.50 (4 Euros) per hour or what they can afford. Last year we helped 135 people and currently we have a waiting list of 70!" Jenny Age Concern Edinburgh has also launched the Mobile Internet Taster Sessions (MITS) project to take the Internet to car homes, retirement clubs and sheltered housing complexes.

Real is the brand name the City of Glasgow has given to its IT initiative to encourage everyone to learn to use a computer. It is not age-based but lots of older people in the city are benefiting. There is a Real computer available to Learning in Later Life students in the University.


Update

The People's Network (www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk) is a project that has connected all public libraries to the Internet, as part of the Government's commitment to give everyone in the UK the opportunity to get online. Lottery-funded by the New Opportunities Fund, more than 4000 library centres have been created through the initiative. Each part of the UK has its own project, namely UK online in England, Digital Scotland (www.scotland.gov.uk/digitalscotland) in Scotland, Cymru Ar-lein in Wales, and Electronic Libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI).
In June 2003 consultation will take place with staff at IT Centres to develop an Online Centre Customer's Charter (www.helpisathand.gov.uk/news/2003/charter/)

The law on disability is changing to outlaw discriminatory practices. In October 2002 the UK government Department for Education & Skills committed almost 1.5 million pounds to provide over 711 UK online centres with a package of access technologies.
Through powerful magnification of the computer screen, partially sighted computer users can manipulate the display quickly and easily. Settings can be adjusted to suit each individual's particular requirements. This is much more powerful than just using the Menu - VIEW/TEXT SIZE functions.
See http://groups.msn.com/3lcomputerclub/disability.msnw

2003 European Year of People with Disabilities launched by Greek presidency in Athens with a budget of 12,000,000 Euros. The UK government has contributed an additional 2 million pounds. For older adults visual disability is a major factor in accessing the Internet. More information at * Disability Discrimination Commission UK - www.disability.gov.uk/

Jean: 'I treat the session as an informal friendly introduction rather than an instructor/student situation. I regard it as an opportunity to facilitate the learning process especially if the learner is a complete newcomer. I clearly recall my sense of trepidation, not to mention desperation, during my first computer experience.'

Peter: 'Unless it is clear that it will be too basic, I start with the BBC Webwise programme, accessed by a Desktop icon on the PC. This ensures that the buddy immediately sees the student in action, and can evaluate whether the whole business is completely new to them, and whether or not they are interested, for example, in the history of the Internet, or want to get straight into the action.'

Eric: 'Check out the student's expectations by asking encouragingly what she/he hopes to gain. Common responses are: n how to send E-Mail n how to find web sites nhow to find sites to book flights or holidays n how to use Search Engines.n how to compile a letter, print it, and create a folder and file.'

John: 'It is so necessary for continuing success for people of any age to be able to review what they have learned after a session at a computer. That is why a clear handout or an easy-to-follow booklet is worth its weight in gold.'

There is a monumental effort being made by the public and private sector in the UK to open up Information Technology to everyone in society, especially disadvantaged groups. Internet access is free in libraries, taster sessions are on offer in almost every town and village, university and college. However having access does not necessarily mean that people find it easy to get started. It makes a tremendous difference to have friendly help in an informal way at the start, especially for many older people who have no previous experience, and schemes such as the Computer Buddy Scheme at the Senior Studies Institute play a key role in helping people break down reservation and concern about how they will manage with the new technology. Once people are happy using computers the question as to which computer applications enrich life and how can people continue to learn and grow. These issues will be explored in the next few months.