City of Niagara Falls launches ‘Cyber Seniors’ technology training program

by Nick Redekop

October 10, 2023 

As the world enters the second generation of personal computing and internet-based technology, the need to help elderly citizens utilise these powerful tools is growing. That is why this fall, the Municipality of Niagara Falls will launch its inaugural technology training program for seniors. 

The class, which will be run in six-week intervals of two-hour sessions (one hour of instruction and one hour of discussion), is slated to take place at the MacBain Community Centre at 7150 Montrose Rd. 

DJ Brooks currently serves as Community Development Coordinator in the Recreation and Culture Department at the City of Niagara Falls. 

“We already do a lot of older adult programming through the City,” Brooks shared in a recent interview with The Niagara Independent. “And we have a digital media group (to help) with their technology needs,” he added. “The group is great but informal. We wanted to try and get a more structured opportunity together.” 

The program will be made possible by a variety of types of labour. “Cyber Seniors is our main contact,” Brooks said. “We also will have volunteers to help run the program, plus our Brock Recreation Intern, myself and the Manager of Older Adults and Aquatics Hanya Nagy.”

With original offerings that span the coming fall and winter, the City hopes that the training classes will become a permanent way to support the community. “We are committed to running the program through March 2024,” Brooks explained. “If we see active participation in the program, we would continue it indefinitely,” he furthered. “If the need is still there, we will absolutely continue to run it.” 

As internet, phone and messaging scams continue to target seniors, cyber-safety will be a key component of the program. “Cyber-safety is only one aspect of the program, but it is part of it,” Brooks said. “Each week will be a different topic – cyber-safety is one of those topics.” 

“We are using the Cyber Seniors expertise in program design and digital knowledge to help with lesson planning and then we, with our volunteers, will deliver the program to the community.” 

When asked what would make the program a resounding success, Brooks had some notable thoughts to share. “Anytime we can help people connect socially we find it a success,” he related. “One of our goals is to help older adults maintain health – physically, socially and mentally – and this program can help in some of these areas.”

“Many older adults in our community are intimidated by technology – we just want to help them ease that anxiety and be able to use the technology to better their lives.” 

The City is actively looking for Tech Mentors to help run Cyber Seniors classes. Those interested in learning more or applying can do so at the following links: Cyber Seniors and Application Form.

Niagara Falls offering new technology training program for older adults

Cyber Seniors is a six-week, hands-on program at MacBain Community Centre

By The Niagara Falls Review

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The City of Niagara Falls, in collaboration with the provincial government, is offering a new technology training program targeted toward older adults.

Cyber Seniors is a six-week, hands-on program to be delivered at MacBain Community Centre this fall.

Classes will cover topics such as cyber safety, email tips, navigating smartphones and tablets, and a beginner’s guide to social media.

The City is looking for volunteer tech mentors to facilitate the classes, acting as a resource on all things technology for older adults.

The city encourages local youths to become a tech mentor as it will help to build their resumes or complete high school community service hours while honing leadership, communication, time management and decision-making skills.

Individuals interested in becoming mentors, or looking to enrol in classes, can visit https://niagarafalls.ca/living/community-facilities/macbain-centre/older-adult-program/cyber-seniors.aspx.

Meet 7 of Canada’s Brightest Change Makers

Across business, science and technology—they’re paving the way for a better future one great idea at a time.

BY : EMILY TAMFO– SEP 6TH, 2023

THE SISTERS TEACHING SENIORS

It all started in 2009, when Kascha and Macaulee Cassaday had to do some volunteering to graduate high school. They, like all kids that age, just wanted to get their hours in, but when they noticed how much they used tech to stay close with their grandparents, a light bulb went on. The Toronto-based siblings realized that by teaching older generations how to use modern tech, they could bridge the digital divide between young and old. They started by touring local retirement communities to tutor seniors on how to use popular apps like Skype and Facebook. Their experience was captured in the critically acclaimed 2014 documentary Cyber-Seniors (directed by their sister, Saffron Cassaday). Fourteen years later, they’ve built a non-profit with reach across North America and a mission to create digital equality and connect generations through technology. “During the pandemic, we all learned how social isolation can negatively impact us, and older adults are at a higher risk of social isolation as they age,” says Kascha. “Our organization is powered by youth volunteers who are in high school or university. All the older adults we work with are lifelong learners who are dedicated to keeping their minds sharp. As much as they are learning from us, they are giving back by guiding us to be better teachers and leaders.” If you’ve ever needed a reminder to call your grandparents, this is it.

cyberseniors.org

Grant to help ‘bridge digital divide’ through technology help for Greenfield seniors

By MARY BYRNE

Staff Writer

GREENFIELD — Thanks to a $99,773 grant, area seniors will gain increased access to technology and the resources to learn how to use it.

The award, which comes from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, will benefit the Council on Aging’s Tech Savvy Seniors project. Thanks to the grant, the Council on Aging will be able to purchase 50 iPad tablets that include keyboard and trackpad attachments. Some iPads will remain at the Greenfield Senior Center for seniors to engage with during their visit at no expense.

“Tech Savvy Seniors is a longtime goal coming to fruition,” said Council on Aging Director Hope Macary, noting that she’s thrilled to help “bridge the digital divide” by providing devices and ongoing educational support. “I’ve been keenly interested in technology since attending nursing school at [Greenfield Community College], where I gained tech skills and then served as a computer tutor as an adult learner.”

The Council on Aging will assign at least 40 of the purchased iPads for seniors to participate in educational outreach after they complete a digital equity intake form.

The free informational component is provided through GCC’s Cyber Seniors program, which has helped roughly 100 seniors via hands-on training since its debut in 2021. Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper will lead workshops for iPad recipients to learn how to use the device and protect their privacy/personal information. Seniors will be able to keep their new devices after the course.

“Over the past several years, I have become increasingly aware of the difference that digital literacy skills can make in the quality of life for older adults,” Raper said. “I am thrilled that we will be able to enhance our current offerings to increase support for this population around navigating technology. Part of the role of technology is developing the capacity to connect. For many older adults, this is essential to their well-being, and this grant will help us support them in developing the necessary skills to do so.”

A portion of the grant funding will allow GCC to subcontract a part-time cyber senior regional coordinator who will take inquiries from interested seniors, track appointments and session topics, host information sessions about the program and arrange the hiring of cyber senior mentors.

The mentors work with older adults one-on-one during in-person appointments to help them navigate technology. Sessions are held at GCC, the John Zon Community Center/Greenfield Senior Center and Franklin County’s YMCA.

“I want to expand the locations where people are getting one-on-one assistance, so we’ll be working with the YMCA, as well as the Senior Center, and we’ll be reaching out to some of the public housing units,” Raper added. “The idea is to help more older adults one-on-one with their devices.”

GCC will also be offering free computer classes for older adults on Fridays from noon to 2 p.m., beginning Sept. 8 and continuing through Sept. 29. People can register on the GCC website. There will be more workshops offered later this fall and in the spring.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

Breezeline Provides Digital Training to Empower Monongalia County Seniors

The U.S. internet provider partners with Cyber-Seniors for onsite technology training

August 09, 2023 10:06 ET| Source: Breezeline

Morgantown, W.Va., Aug. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Breezeline, the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, hosted a digital literacy seminar to empower older adults in West Virginia with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate the digital world.

The digital literacy learning seminar was held August 8 at Senior Monongalians, a nonprofit senior center serving those aged 60+ in Monongalia County. Breezeline held the event in partnership with Cyber-Seniors, a nonprofit that provides tech-training and digital mentors to seniors. The interactive seminar covered topics such as internet basics, cybersecurity, telemedicine, and online banking.

“Knowing how to safely navigate the online world leads to more opportunities,” said Lisa Martin, executive director of Senior Monongalians, Inc. “The skills that Breezeline and Cyber Seniors teach will help older adults in Monongalia County stay connected to friends, family, and all the things they love.”

A Pew study indicates that 75% of adults over the age of 65 regularly use the internet, and according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, older adults who regularly use social technology are less likely to suffer from chronic illnesses and depressive symptoms, while also more likely to enjoy higher overall well-being, than those who do not.

“Cyber-Seniors is proud to partner with Breezeline to teach skills that keep older populations socially connected and engaged,” said Brenda Rusnak, co-founder and president of the nonprofit.

To further enhance the online experience, Breezeline also provided attendees with blue light glasses that prevent eye strain while looking at screens.

This event is one of several steps Breezeline is taking to foster digital literacy and the responsible use of technology in its communities. This summer, Breezeline will make a donation to Monongalia County schools every time a West Virginia Black Bear baseball player steals a base.

“We recognize the great importance of expanding connectivity and are pleased to partner with Cyber-Seniors and Senior Monongolians to promote its right and safe use among older adults,” said Sean Brushett, Breezeline’s vice president of technical operations.

Breezeline Helps Customers Avoid Online Risks

Monday, June 26, 2023 11:06 AM | GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

Breezeline Helps Customers Avoid Online Risks

Through education and training, the service provider works to promote online safety and awareness

QUINCY, Mass., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Breezeline , the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, is helping to raise awareness about internet safety and the ways customers can protect themselves when they are online.

Online threats are increasing and cybercriminals are constantly evolving the techniques they use to trick users. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ):

• One in three homes with computers is infected with malware
• 65% of users who went online last year received at least one online scam offer
• 47% of adults have had their personal information exposed by cybercriminals
• 31% of millennials have shared their passwords–more than any age group

Because older adults are often the target of cybercriminals, Breezeline has launched digital literacy training through its partnership with Cyber-Seniors to instruct these customers on internet basics and how to protect themselves online. Additionally, Breezeline has partnered with CyberSecurity NonProfit to create a series of blogs, videos and other content to inform the public on ways to protect against cybercrime and to promote online safety.

“Cybercriminals count on users to have their guards down, and many users are in a hurry and bypass controls that are there for a reason,” said Aaron Brace, vice president of engineering for Breezeline. “Making attackers’ lives harder makes our lives a little harder, but it’s worth the extra time and diligence.”

In addition to cyberbullying , younger online users are at risk through popular apps that collect data on their online habits. Furthermore, younger users may also inadvertently download malware or reveal their own personal information or that of their parents. They may also be tricked into sending images to a person posing as another, who then threatens to share the image publicly unless extortion money is paid.

Online users can take these basic steps to help combat cyber threats:

• Exercise caution when surfing online or clicking on an email. Take the time to read carefully. Ask yourself whether you were expecting the email and why you need to provide the information requested. If the email contains an urgent appeal for your attention or contains spelling errors, this is likely a phishing attempt. Be careful using a public WiFi network because it may not be secure.
• Use long, unique credentials for usernames and passwords. Use passphrases rather than passwords, vary them between sites, and change them often. Attackers can hack the database of one platform to obtain usernames and passwords so that they can try to access other sites frequented by the same user.
• Use multi-factor authentication when possible because it requires more than one verification step.
• Use encryption: Do not keep sensitive documents and data unsecured on computers. For example, if you keep a folder of your tax return on your computer, it should be zipped and encrypted. Lastly, ensure that you have antivirus software on your computer.
• Do not share personal data on social media sites or other online forums. These can be mined by cyber criminals to gain access to other accounts.

Breezeline is also working to protect customers while they are online. While Breezeline does not filter customers’ online content, its security team is on the lookout for fraudulent websites and phishing emails designed to trick a recipient into providing personal data. To minimize these attacks, Breezeline uses inline scanning to warn email customers of potentially harmful email attachments.

The Breezeline “WiFi Your Way” service, meanwhile, has best-in-class security powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with always-on digital and data security for every device on the home or business network. It filters out suspicious activity and even automatically quarantines devices that are behaving strangely. The system also includes built-in ad-blocking for overall smoother surfing.

Breezeline also uses multi-step verification to protect customer data by confirming that those who contact the company are, in fact, customers. Breezeline also complies with customer data protections under federal “Customer Proprietary Network Information” (CPNI) regulations.

‘Tech Pals’ Overcome Vision Problems, Age Differences, and Smartphone Anxiety

Photo: Anne Perzeszty (l) and Leslie Guevara (r). Photo credit: Don Horvath.

By Lisa Kava

Anne Perzeszty, 86, considers herself to be tech savvy for someone her age. But she was overwhelmed when she purchased a new Samsung cell phone last fall. ”I immediately hated it,” she told West Side Rag in a phone interview. “I wanted to throw it away. There were too many bells and whistles; it was just loaded with features.”

Perzeszty has a condition called macular degeneration, which causes loss of central vision. While intimidated by the phone’s features, her vision impairment added an extra challenge. “With macular degeneration I have learned how to navigate the outside world, but it is very difficult for me to see close up,” she said.

Perzeszty is involved with Lighthouse Guild, a nonprofit organization located at 250 West 64th Street, which provides services to blind and visually impaired individuals. She signed up for a new intergenerational program run by the organization called Tech Pals, where young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 help mentees above the age of 55 with their smartphones. The “pals” meet at the Lighthouse Guild’s Technology Center from 10 AM to 2 PM every Saturday for one-on-one training. All mentors and mentees are visually impaired or blind.

Perzeszty was paired with Leslie Guevara, 22, a college student with the genetic condition iris nerve retinal coloboma. While Guevara can see black and white, much of her vision is blurry, and glare hurts her eyes. She uses both a magnifier and glasses. Upon learning about Tech Pals, the idea of helping others with vision impairment resonated with her. “I have always been good with technology,” she told the Rag in a phone call.

Guevara says her own vision challenges make her sensitive to those of her mentees. She enjoys sharing tips she uses in her everyday life. “The first thing I did was to change the settings in Anne’s phone,” Guevara said. “Dark mode makes the contrast with white words easier to see. Guevara also introduced Perzeszty to the easy voice recorder app. “It is like any other recording app. I use it for everything. Now Anne uses it for her Trader Joe’s and Costco lists. It is so much easier than struggling to read a shopping list when we can just listen.”

“I had a challenge and Leslie had the tools to help,” Perzeszty said. “I felt comfortable with her immediately.” Each week they work together on a different aspect of the phone. “She really helped me with my confidence. I could not see the buttons on my phone,” Perzeszty said. “She set up the accessibility function, she made the type bigger, she set up google assistant, and showed me how to ask questions.”

Judith Katzen, director of rehabilitation at Lighthouse Guild, thought of the idea for Tech Pals during the summer of 2022. In a phone conversation with the executive director of the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, which provides funding to Lighthouse Guild, Katzen learned about Cyber-Seniors, based in Canada, where typically sighted young people mentor typically sighted seniors in technology. “We studied their model and thought we can take this concept and make it happen with the blind and visually impaired community,” Katzen explained.

Katzen hired a program manager with a background in teaching technology to blind and deaf individuals. She then interviewed graduates of Lighthouse Guild’s youth programs for mentor positions. Guevara and the others selected participated in online training with Cyber-Seniors in September, 2022. The program went live in October. Tech Pals mentors get paid for their services. “For many it is their first job,” Katzen said.

Beyond technology help, Perzeszty and Guevara enjoy the personal relationship they have developed. Guevara tries to establish a connection with her mentees from the beginning. “I want them to feel at ease and I always try to find a common interest. Anne told me she was nervous about her granddaughter traveling by subway, so I told her I take the subway all the time.”

The duo often chat about family when Perzeszty’s eyes get tired and she needs a break. “Leslie will talk about her younger sister, and I will throw in some stories about my daughters. We have things in common beyond vision impairment,” Perzeszty said. “I think the intergenerational concept is brilliant. The younger generation has the challenge of finding a common language and teaching us. The older generation must respect the younger generation and what they have to offer.”

“Working with Anne has been so gratifying,” said Guevara. “One time, as she was walking into the technology center, she was on a video call with her daughter. I showed her how to do that. It was neat to watch her in action.”