Computer Training & Access

Staying Connected at Home

Our Neighborhood Tech Connect program helps people use computers, tablets, and other technologies to connect with family members, manage their health, learn new skills, and more. This is even more important than ever when we’re all spending much of our time at home. Our digital literacy trainers are reaching out to students by phone, email, WeChat, and Zoom to offer as much help as we can while keeping everyone physically distanced. We offer services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish and English as detailed below. 

Neighborhood Tech Connect: Free and Low-Cost Internet Access and Devices

The keys to digital inclusion are access, equipment and training.  Many of the older adults and people with disabilities we work with don’t have the resources to afford internet access or devices at home. Community Living Campaign is setting up San Francisco older adults and people with disabilities with tablets, Internet access, and training. To find out if you qualify, contact us at tech@sfcommunityliving.org or 415-821-1003, ext. 109.

Virtual Tech Classes and Help Desks

Not sure how to use Zoom? Want help reaching your doctor or family? Need tips on how to use social media? Our friendly and patient tech trainers are here to help!

Cantonese & Mandarin Tech Classes
Download a flyer for the classes or email wanda@sfcommunityliving.org to sign up. Space is limited. Classes are in Cantonese unless noted.

• Mondays – 9:30-11:30, 10:00-12:00, 10:30-12:00, 1:00–3:00, and 2:00-4:00
• Tuesdays – 10:00–12:00, 10:30-12:00 (Mandarin), 2:00-4:00 (Android devices), and 1:00–3:00
• Wednesdays – 10:00–12:00 (Mandarin), 1:00–3:00, and 3:00–5:00
• Thursdays – 9:30-11:30, 10:00–12:00, 1:00–2:30, and 3:00-5:00
• Fridays – 9:30-11:30, 10:00–12:00, 1:00–2:30, and 2:00-4:00
• Saturdays – 1:00–3:00

More Chinese-Language Activities

• Singing Class in Mandarin with Cantonese Interpretation
  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00-4:00
• Qigong in English with Cantonese Interpretation
  Mondays 4:00-5:00 and Fridays 2:30-3:30

English Tech Classes
Check our online event calendar for all upcoming English-language technology classes.  Listen in on any of the English-language Tech Help Desks by dialing in over the phone: 888-475-4499 (toll free) or 669-900-6833 (local) and enter the Meeting ID: 873 8317 4373 ##. There will be a “waiting room” until the Zoom class starts at its scheduled time.

Watch & join any of the English-language Tech Help Desks by clicking this Zoom link and completing registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87383174373 . There will be a “waiting room” until the Zoom class starts at its scheduled time.

Important Note: For online classes please do not register for classes ahead of time; register only 10-15 before class start time.

For each of the classes below, click on the title (red bold text, underlined) to be taken to the specific class series.

Apple Help Desk, Mondays 10:00am-12:00pm
Join Peter & Maia for skilled & patient assistance with your Apple devices. Although these sessions will focus on mobile devices like the iPhone & iPad, much of the information shared in these materials can be applied to Mac desktop & laptop computers as well. Bring your questions! The same lessons are taught on Thursdays, but using a different rotation of sessions. Click the Zoom link above to join the classes, and click the links below to view and/or download copies of the class materials for each week’s session.

• June 6th – Session 5: Settings (Continued)
• June 13th – Session 6: Settings for Third Party Apps & Voice Activation
• June 20th – Session 7: Passcode, Touch ID & Face ID 
• June 27th – Session 8: Communicating on Your Device
• July 4th – ** No Class: Independence Day **
• July 11th – Session 9: The Camera & Photos App
• July 18th – Session 10: Mail App & your Email Address
• July 25th – Session 11: Searching the Internet with Safari App
• Aug 1st – Session 12: Productivity Apps Part 1
• Aug 8th – Session 13: Productivity Apps Part 2 
• Aug 15th – Session 14:  How to Troubleshoot & Reset Your Device if Needed
• Aug 22nd – Session 15: Other Useful Apps & Websites 
• Aug 29th – Session 1: Welcome to the iPhone & iPad
• Sept 5th – ** No Class: Labor Day **
• Sept 12th – Session 2: Apple ID & Websites
• Sept 19th – Session 3: Apps & Settings Part 1
• Sept 26th – Session 4: Settings Part 2
• Oct 3rd – Session 5: Settings Part 3

Internet Safety Help Desk Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm
Join Peter to learn about Internet Safety & Security – find out new tips & tricks with personalized help. Each week covers a different aspect of keeping yourself & your personal information secure, while also answering individual questions. Click the links below to view and/or download copies of the class materials for each week’s session.

• • June 7th – No Class Today
  • June 14th – Session 5: Fake or Misleading Information on the Internet (then back to Session 1 the following Tuesday)
  • June 21st – Session 1: Email & Passwords
  • June 28th – Session 2: Wi-Fi Networks & Your Personal Info
  • July 5th – Session 3: Backing Up Your Information
  • July 12th – Session 4: Malware & Computer Viruses
  • July 19th – Session 5: Fake or Misleading Information on the Internet

Zoom Help Desk Tuesdays 2:00-3:30pm
Join Peter to learn about Zoom – find out new tips & tricks with personalized help. Each week covers a session within the overall topic of Zoom, while also answering individual questions. Click the links below to view and/or download copies of the class materials for each week’s session.

• June 7th – No Class Today
• June 14th – Session 4: Accessibility & More Settings
• June 21st – Session 5: Zoom Etiquette & Troubleshooting
• June 28th – Session 6: Virtual Backgrounds & Video Filters
• July 5th – Session 7: Hosting Your Own Zoom Meeting
• July 12th – Session 8: Using Zoom for an Interview
• July 19th – Session 1: Signing in with the Right Platform for You
• July 26th – Session 2: Basic Meeting Controls
• Aug 2nd – Session 3: Audio & Video Settings

Android Help Desk Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Join Peter for skilled and patient assistance with your Android smart phones & tablets. Feel free to drop-in with your questions; each week the class discussion will be built around what topics, inquiries or problems are brought up by the students. Also, feel free to drop-in just to learn from silently listening to the questions other students bring with them. All skill levels are welcome!
No Class June 8th

Virtual Help Desk Thursdays, 10:00am-12:00pm
Want help reaching your doctor or family? Checking on a stimulus payment or signing up for a vaccination notification or appointment? Need tips on how to use social media? Have questions about your computer, tablet, or phone? Enjoy patient teaching and learn fun practices for online use! All questions answered in the second hour. Molly is here to help!

• June 9th – Tech Helpdesk – Google Drive
• Class Break 
• June 30th – Tablet Review
• July 7th – Library Account Set Up and Overview
• July 14th – Using your Library Account – Borrowing and Holds
• July 21st – What is an eBook ? – eBook Readers
• July 28th – Audiobooks – How to Use
• Aug 11th – Accessibility at the SF Public Library
• Aug 18th – on hold currently
• Aug 25th – on hold currently

Apple Help Desk, Thursdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
Join Maia & Peter for skilled & patient assistance with your Apple devices. Although these sessions will focus on mobile devices like the iPhone & iPad, much of the information shared in these materials can be applied to Mac desktop & laptop computers as well. Bring your questions! The same lessons are also taught on Mondays, but using a different rotation of sessions. Click the links below to view and/or download copies of the class materials for each week’s session.

• June 2nd – Session 14:  How to Troubleshoot & Reset Your Device if Needed
• June 9th – Session 15: Other Useful Apps & Websites
• June 16th – Session 1: Welcome to the iPhone & iPad
• June 23rd – Session 2: Apple ID & Websites
• June 30th – Session 3: Apps & Settings Part 1
• July 7th – Session 4: Settings Part 2
• July 14th – Session 5: Settings Part 3
• July 21st – Session 6: Settings for Third Party Apps & Voice Activation
• July 28th – Session 7: Passcode, Touch ID & Face ID 
• Aug 4th – Session 8: Communicating on Your Device
• Aug 11th – Session 9: The Camera & Photos App
• Aug 18th – Session 10: Mail App & Your Email Address
• Aug 25th – Session 11: Searching the Internet with Safari App
• Sept 1st – Session 12: Productivity Apps Part 1
• Sept 8th – Session 13: Productivity Apps Part 2

Virtual Help Desk Fridays: Topic Help 11:00am-12:00pm, General Questions 12:00pm-1:00pm
Enjoy patient teaching and learn fun practices for online use with Molly and Liz.  Accessibility emphasis.  All questions answered in the second hour.

One-On-One Tech Help Appointments in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish

Our tutors can also provide one-on-one help in multiple languages. Just call  415-821-1003 x109 or email tech@sfcommunityliving.org to set up an appointment. To get the best match with one of our tutors, please let us know your preferred language, the device you’re using (Mac, PC, Android Tablet or Phone, iPad, or iPhone), whether you have Internet access at home, and what you’d like help with.

Explore the Online World

Learn new things online and be entertained while waiting to resume your regular activities.  First stop, our blog post on Fun (and Free) Things to Do from Home.

Learn lots of things you can do online through this simple site with links to all kinds of resources, including info on how to use Skype or Zoom for video chats, free online games, movies and much more. Two popular destinations are GFCLearnFree.org and TechBoomers.com, where you use this time to learn how to do so much more online with a computer, tablet or smartphone.

And don’t miss the San Francisco Public Library! They have a  robust range of digital services that give card holders 24/7 free access to ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, classes, music and more. It is all available for free with your library card.

If you have a permanent or long term disability that prevents you from visiting the library, you can sign up for  Library Access from Home.  You can get your library card, use online resources, and borrow things via mail.

SF Connected Computer Labs

Due to Covid restrictions, CLC is currently offering dozens of free computer classes and tutoring each month online via Zoom. This includes classes to help people use accessible technologies for those with vision, hearing and other disabilities. Click HERE to see our Events Calendar.

We also are now offering one-on-one training/tutoring in our office, by appointment only. For more details, contact our tech team:
By phone: (415) 821-1003, x109
By email: tech@sfcommunityliving.org

Other SF Connected Sites

As part of the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services’ SF Connected Program, Community Tech Network, Self-Help for the Elderly and Conard House also have computer training and specialty classes. For more information on free classes, call (415) 355-3555, visit the SF Connected map, or see the SF Connected class schedule.

Other Resources

In addition, the San Francisco Public Library has expanded the number of computers in its branches and you can book time to use computers or to get help accessing information on-line. For a list of branch libraries with computer access, go to the San Francisco Public Library web site and search for Senior Computer Classes on the SFPL events page.