The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is grateful to have participated in a working group led by MassINC and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership that informed a new report titled “Connecting Communities Through Digital Equity.”
The report builds on MassINC’s 2020 digital divide research, framing the challenges and opportunities ahead, and outlining a near-term action plan. Continue reading
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and as covered in many media outlets, including the Boston Globe, mobile carriers are shutting down their 3G networks, which rely on older technology, to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G.
This also impacts certain medical devices and MHAC has learned of companies going through major processes of upgrading devices like Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). Continue reading
As MHAC reported in a previous post, libraries across the state have made Wi-Fi hotspots available to loan out. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) created a map so people can see which specific libraries have the devices that people can checkout. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative was joined by a range of statewide and national partners working to advance inclusive age-and dementia friendly communities in a Twitter Chat that focused on “Equity in Aging.” Continue reading
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recently announced that local libraries across the state are loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots, which are devices that you can take with you to access the internet from wherever you are.
Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots connect to cellular data the same where a smart phone does to create a secure and reliable internet connection for devices that need one. This presents an opportunity to address digital equity among older adults. Continue reading
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significantly more grandparents than non-grandparents purchased smartphones (32% vs. 22%) and Smart TVs (24% vs. 11%) than they did in the 12-months prior, according to AARP research.
Ranking the top barriers to adopting new technology, survey respondents identified cost (28%), lack of knowledge (24%), and privacy issues (22%) at the top of the list. Continue reading
Alongside the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Technology Subcommittee of the Task Force to End Loneliness and Build Community, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative added a new webpage with an evolving list of resources aimed at addressing digital equity and older adults. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is pleased to pass along the following grant opportunities that support inclusive age- and dementia friendly community efforts.
You can see previous posts about funding opportunities here. Continue reading
The Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Cable (MDTC) is recognizing Lifeline Awareness Week by sharing important information about two federal benefit programs that are available to help keep households connected to affordable telecommunications services—the Lifeline Program and the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program. Continue reading
In partnership with municipalities, housing authorities, nonprofits, and private entities, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is working to address issues related to the barriers to accessing and using the internet (otherwise known as the Digital Divide) within these communities.
Responses to an “Digital Navigator Program” RFI issued by MAPC will assist the regional planning agency in building capacity within local communities to support residents in improving their lives through the use of digital technology and the Internet. The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages communities and stakeholders in the age-and dementia friendly movement to participate so that older adults are represented. Continue reading