NEC Australia last week successfully completed the installation of the 2000th and the final Internet kiosk in the Federal Government’s $15 million “Broadband for Seniors” program, which aimed to provide elderly citizens with greater access to PCs and Internet.
The concluding site was opened at the Victoria-based Yarraville Senior Citizens Centre, by Jenny Macklin, the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
The initiative, which was managed by a group of companies consisting of NEC Australia, Adult Learning Australia, the University of the Third Age Online and the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association, was launched in July 2009.
Since the launch of the program, as many as 94,000 elderly people have used the kiosks and received around 43,000 online lessons on how to make use of computers, Internet, e-mail and all that.
David Cooke, NEC Australia group manager, claimed that they got a strong response from both volunteers as well as community organizations.
Speaking on the topic, Cooke added, “One major outcome emerging is the sheer number of older Australians connecting with distant family members both in Australia and overseas.”
The program has not only helped elderly citizens connect more closely with their relatives, friends and communities, but also helped them get rid of the fear associated with the use of computers.
