In a survey of 82 to
94-year-olds, SPF Connect, a charity-funded project to bring senior citizens
online, discovered that a staggering 66% of their clients had never touched a
computer before. But with the aid of the project's specially developed
software, more and more older people are finding the confidence to join the
digitally enabled population.
IT support and services company Natpoint are implementing the SPF Connect Project
which provides a free, easy-to-use computer with touch screen and large,
high-visibility keyboard. There is training, online support and easy access to
a range of entertainment, music and e-books to help customers get the most out
of the systems.
But even though the project was all about making it easier for senior citizens
to get online, the team was still surprised by the number of clients for whom
this was their first encounter with a computer.
Michael Glass, managing director of Natpoint, said: "The users who took
part in the survey have an average age of 88 years old and although 88% of the users initially thought it
was too late for them to learn how to use a computer we let them know it’s
never too late."
The team also found that:
·
90% of people surveyed
felt the computer provided easier access to information
·
84% felt that SPF
Connect PCs allowed them to connect with others more often
·
92% felt more
positive in themselves after using the SPF Connect PCs
· 100% would recommend SPF Connect PCs to people of a similar age
The PCs use "Touch and Connect" software
developed by SeeYouLink Inc to replace the usual Windows user interface with a
simpler and more intuitive environment, specially designed for vision-impaired
users. Due to being more controlled, the environment minimises the chances of
users getting lost and losing confidence.
In fact, Natpoint's research shows that the use of Touch and Connect has
dramatically increased the speed at which users increase their familiarity with
the computer. Typically, a customer will send an email after their first hour
but, by the following week, have graduated to making video calls, making it
easier to keep up with friends and family across the globe.
The SPF Connect project through Natpoint provides internet connectivity if
necessary, installation, training and support for the users throughout the UK free
of charge until the end of May 2020.
Website: www.natpoint.com,http://www.spfconnect.co.uk/
Tel: 020 8951 0050
Email: spf@natpoint.com
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