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.
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.
Community Living Campaign, along with other organizations, businesses, and government agencies on the SF Tech Council continue to work to increase resources for digital inclusion. While not enough, there are some resources that can help.
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!
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.
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), 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
Other Topics:
- 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
Spanish Tech Help Appointments
Contact Yvan Torres for the current schedule and to get started in Spanish: Yvan@sfcommunityliving.org
English-Language Tech Class Details
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.
- January 3rd –Session 1: Welcome to the iPhone & iPad
- January 10th – Session 2: Apple ID & Websites
- January 17th – **No Class: Martin Luther King Jr. Day**
- January 24th – Session 3: Apps & Settings
- January 31st – Session 4: Settings (Continued)
- February 7th – Session 5: Settings (Continued)
- February 14th – Session 6: Settings for Third Party Apps & Voice Activation
- February 21st – ** No Class: Presidents’ Day **
- February 28th – Session 7: Passcode, Touch ID & Face ID
- March 7th – Session 8: Communicating on your Device
- March 14th – Session 9: The Camera & Photos App
- March 21st – Session 10: Mail App & your Email Address
- March 28th – Session 11: Searching the Internet with Safari App
- April 4th – Session 12: Productivity Apps
- April 11th – Session 13: Productivity Apps (Continued)
- April 18th – Session 14: How to Troubleshoot & Reset your Device if needed
- April 25th – Session 15: Other Useful Apps & Websites
Internet Safety Help Desk Tuesdays 10:00am-12:00pm
Join Peter & Brad 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.
- January 4th – Session 3: Backing Up Your Information
- January 11th – Session 4: Malware & Computer Viruses
- January 18th – Session 5: Fake or Misleading Information on the Internet
- January 25th – Session 1: Email & Passwords
- February 1st – Session 2: Wi-Fi Networks & Your Personal Info
- February 8th – Session 3: Backing Up Your Information
- February 15th – Session 4: Malware & Computer Viruses
- February 22nd – Session 5: Fake or Misleading Information on the Internet (then back to Session 1 the following Tuesday)
Zoom Help Desk Tuesdays 2:00-3:30pm
Join Peter & Brad 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.
- January 4th – Session 6: Virtual Backgrounds & Video Filters
- January 11th – Session 7: Hosting Your Own Zoom Meeting
- January 18th – Session 8: Using Zoom for an Interview
- January 25th – Session 1: Signing in with the Right Platform for You
- February 1st – Session 2: Basic Meeting Controls
- February 8th – Session 3: Audio & Video Settings
- February 15th – Session 4: Accessibility & More Settings
- February 22nd – Session 5: Zoom Etiquette & Troubleshooting
- February 29th – Session 6: Virtual Backgrounds & Video Filters
- March 1st – Session 7: Hosting Your Own Zoom Meeting
- March 8th – Session 8: Using Zoom for an Interview (then back to Session 1 the following Tuesday)
Android Help Desk Wednesdays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Join Peter & Brad 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!
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? Molly is here to help!
Apple Help Desk, Thursdays 3:30pm-5:30pm
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 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.
- January 6th – Session 8: Communicating on Your Device
- January 13th – Session 9: The Camera & Photo App
- January 20th – Session 10: Mail App & Your Email Address
- January 27th – Session 11: Searching the Internet with Safari App
- February 3rd – Session 12: Productivity Apps
- February 10th – Session 13: Productivity Apps (Continued)
- February 17th – Session 14: How to Troubleshoot & Reset You Device if Needed
- February 24th – Session 15: Other Useful Apps & Websites
Virtual Help Desk Fridays: Topic Help 11:00am-12:00pm, General Questions 12:00pm-1:00pm
Join Molly & Liz to learn more about a specific topic as well as to get help with general questions about your computer, tablet, or mobile phone.
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.
Next visit the SF Tech Council’s Digital Passport site where you can discover a wealth of learning and information online. 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. You can even apply for a digital library card from home!
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.
Low Cost Internet Options During the Pandemic
Digital access is so important during the current physical isolation restrictions. While libraries and computer labs are now closed, Comcast Internet Essentials and Sonic are offering several months of free access to new users. Comcast has also made its Xfinity WiFi hotspots free during the Coronavirus outbreak.
SF Connected Computer Labs
FREE COMPUTER ACCESS. Join other Seniors and People with Disabilities at computer labs throughout San Francisco.
All in-person training is currently suspended due to COVID.
We offer dozens of free computer classes and tutoring each month at senior, community, and adult day services centers throughout San Francisco – in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. This includes classes to help people use accessible technologies for people with vision, hearing, and other disabilities. We also now have our own drop-in computer lab.
Our trainers offer free classes and one-on-one tutoring in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian at senior centers, adult day health centers, and other community sites as part of the city’s SF Connected Program.
Drop by the 5th floor at 1663 Mission Street on Mondays or Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm for free one-on-one computer training and hands-on presentations in a friendly environment. Or see our calendar for a full list of current lab times and locations throughout San Francisco.
INTERESTNG CLASSES. Learn to use the internet for fun, to research health and financial information and to stay connected to family and friends.
Whether you’re just getting started or are looking for a new challenge, we have classes for you. Start with a class on something interesting to you such as social media, photography, or genealogy, and pick up computer basics as you need them. To find out about available topics, bring classes to your neighborhood, or to learn about upcoming presentations, view our calendar or contact Peter Karpathakis at 415-821-1003, ext. 109 or peter@sfcommunityliving.org.
In addition to labs open to the public, CLC works with adult day services centers across the city to teach computing skills to their participants. As part of our program, we introduces participants to accessible technologies that can increase communication options for people with vision, hearing and other disabilities.
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.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]