Organizations Highlight Access to Broadband Technology for Connectivity, Education and Health Care
(Tallahassee, FL) – A diverse group of organizations representing seniors from across Florida joined together today in support of encouraging broadband competition to ensure even more applications of online accessibility for education, health care and economic development. Citizens for a Digital Future (CDF) was among the many groups that participated in the ‘2011 Ambassadors for Aging Day’ at the Florida Capitol Courtyard in Tallahassee, Florida. The day’s activities were hosted by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Sports Foundation celebrating elders, caregivers, and elder advocates from across the state to showcase the special contributions of older Floridians.
“Today’s seniors are becoming an increasingly large segment of the population who are connecting online,” said Daniel Wilson, Director of Policy and Program Development of The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. (NCBA). “We find through our computer and cell phone training seminars that seniors are overwhelmingly embracing technology in their everyday lives.”
“It is critical our seniors remain connected through broadband service, not only for accessibility to health care services and education, but in keeping in touch with family and friends,” said Matthew Kandrach, National Coalitions Director of 60 Plus Association. “Florida, particularly with its large senior population, must be able to offer broadband services for maximum communication outreach.”
“LISTA supports telecom reform because it is important to incentivize broadband investment, so that seniors may have accessibility to take advantage of the many health opportunities that this technology brings,” said Jose Marquez, National President/CEO of the Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA). “With the advent of telehealth and health information technology we want to ensure all our seniors are using technology for their empowerment.”
“We must not underestimate the ability of our seniors to use technology. We have found that when seniors are educated on the various choices and options for phone services they make financial decisions that best reflect their needs,” said Rev. Derrick McRae, President of the Florida Chapter of the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide (MAADD). “For this reason, it is critical that we bring more broadband investment to the state of Florida.”
Several organizations attended the Ambassadors for Aging Day sporting ‘iSeniors’ t-shirts and lapel stickers to highlight the importance of broadband access among the elder community. Associations included Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA), the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide (MAADD), The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc., (NCBA), and 60 Plus Association. Some members also visited with Florida Legislators to discuss telecommunications regulatory reform legislation making its way through committee.
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About Citizens for a Digital Future (CDF)
Citizens for a Digital Future is a coalition of non-profit organizations and industry members that recognizes that adoption of and access to broadband technology — and its enhancements — has become increasingly critical to the environment, education, economic development and health care, among others. Its members support and advance public policies that encourage transparency, broad deployment and robust enhancement of broadband and digital technologies. For more information, go to www.CitizensforaDigitalFuture.org.
About the Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA)
LISTA is committed to supporting Latinos who work in the science, mathematics, information sciences, new media, telecommunications, and technology sector. Their mission is to educate, motivate and encourage the use of technology for the empowerment of the Latino community in order to conquer the digital divide. LISTA represents the interest of over 43,000,000 Hispanics across the country and their interest in the IT, IS, and Telecommunications industry. For more information, go to http://www.a-lista.org.
About The Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide (MAADD)
MAADD is a 70,000+ member, next-generation civil rights organization led by ministers devoted to bridging the Digital Divide and promoting economic and individual empowerment in low income and minority communities. For more information, go to www.MAADD.org.
About The National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc. (NCBA)
NCBA is the only national aging organization solely dedicated to improving the quality of life for low-income African American and minority seniors. NCBA focuses its efforts in three critical areas: housing, employment and health promotion/disease prevention. For more information, go to www.NCBA-Aged.org.
About 60 Plus Association
60 Plus Association is a 19-year-old non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues. 60 Plus calls on support from over 7 million activists nationally, engaging in many issues, including telecom modernization. For more information, go to www.60Plus.org.
