Australian government completed broadband programme for seniors

It has been reported that the Australian government has now completed its Broadband for Seniors Programme, with the installation of two thousand kiosks.

It has been confirmed recently that the Australian government has now completed its Broadband for Seniors Programme, and has installed two thousand internet kiosks as part of the programme. The fifteen million dollar scheme is designed to provide free internet access and PC access to tens of thousands of elderly citizens.

The project was started in 2009 and as part of the scheme thousands of elderly citizens have been provided with basic training on how to use the Internet, access to PCs and internet, and general computer skills training. It has been claimed in recent reports that whilst nearly two thirds of Australian households have an Internet connection less than a third of those aged sixty five and over actually use the Internet.

It is thought that the programme will help to enrich the lives of many seniors. A Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) spokesperson said: “This helps seniors keep in contact with their communities, family and friends, using email, Skype and Facebook.”

Another official said that the program has proven hugely beneficial for many senior citizens, enabling them to do things that they would never have been able to do before. One official said: “Many seniors have even said the programme has helped change their life .One woman in Adelaide is now emailing her grandchildren every day, another man in Queensland has documented his family history online.”

Source – Futuregov