At the Community Living Campaign, we help build the skills and tools needed to have a good life, whether that’s learning how to use technology, finding employment, or being a strong advocate for yourself and others.
Our Computer Training & Access program helps people connect with family members, manage their health, learn new skills, and more.
Our Healthy Aging workshops empower and build vital friendships and connections for participants.
Our Vision & Hearing Initiative provides participants with adaptive technologies and strategies to ensure that they can access the healthcare information, supportive services, and other online resources.
Our Computer Trainings in Action
“I’m scared I’m going to break it,” said Tricia, the first time she sat in front of a computer at one of our free classes. As she moved the mouse around and watched the screen, fear spread across her face. “I don’t think I can do this.”
Our trainers offer empowering, free classes and one-on-one tutoring in a range of languages.
Like many older adults and people with disabilities, Tricia had no experience using computers and found them intimidating. However, despite many people’s wariness about our increasingly digital world, it is undeniable that technology can be a positive resource that connects us with friends, neighbors, relatives, activities, and learning.
With some encouragement, Tricia quickly overcame her fear that she might break the computer and became an incredible student. Tricia is like so many people we work with. She wants to stay “in the know” and she wants to make a difference. She saw the potential of technology to help her do both.
Soon Tricia was gaining proficiency, using her computer, iPad, and smartphone to stay in touch with her grown sons and family on e-mail and Facebook, keep up with the news, play online games, and continue her role as an activist. Like many of our students, Tricia has said she feels more mentally acute and confident because of these new skills.
Tricia has faced increasing health issues, including breast cancer surgery and continued vision loss, which means she has had a harder time leaving her home and now even her bed. But because already she had gained so many technology skills, she now uses ZoomText to enlarge text, and uses a screen reader to read text aloud to her, both of which have helped her remain “plugged in” despite increasing challenges.
Learn more about our free computer classes and access.