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Older Australians Online
Online technologies are paramount in supporting and improving the quality of life of older Australians. It is important that older Australians have the skills and support required to make effective use of online technologies and adequate access to these new technologies. The following sites provide access to a range of information that maybe useful to older Australians.
Australian Government Sites
Seniors Portal
This is the Australian Government's seniors portal for consumers, professionals and community members allowing them to search online for care related Government and agency information services and policies such as healthy ageing, care options, future planning and understanding aged care among others.
Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance (OACQC)
The Office for an Ageing Australia is responsible for policies dealing with the welfare and social well being of older Australians. Policies on ageing, health and care and information on work and later life planning and positive and healthy ageing are accessible onsite as well as The National Strategy for an Ageing Australia.
IT Skills for Older Workers
A program run by the Department of Education, Science, and Training designed to provide workers aged 45 years and older (without previous post-school qualifications in IT and are welfare dependant) the opportunity to undertake nationally accredited training in IT and gain skills in information and communication technology to operate effectively in the workforce. People who participate in the program will receive basic Internet, e-mail and word processing skills. Registered Training Organisations have been delivering the program since late 2002.
Community sites
Councils on the Ageing National Seniors (COTA National Seniors)
COTA is the peak organisation committed to protecting and promoting the well being of older people. The COTA website has extensive information on issues and policies related to older people. A comprehensive bibliography on reports and publications on older people and ICTs and an extensive list of web sites for older people are available.
Greypath
The Internet gateway and 3D village community for Australian seniors and retirees functioning as an entertainment site and listing information and links to senior interests and issues: senior job sites, chat room, daily fun page, scams targeting seniors, world seniors, science and philosophy, finance, travel, legal, health, education, services and art and culture. Free seniors advice service is provided online: travel inquiries, computer and Internet problems, pet problems, 50+ future life planning, gardening inquiries, general legal advice and printing your own books.
Adult Learning Australia (ALA)
ALA is the organisation body for adult and community education providers. It promotes the development of learning opportunities for adult learners. The website has information on adult learning events, links and projects.
The University of the Third Age Online offers a range of short course programs developed specifically for older learners who are isolated geographically, physically or socially. The website has links to related Australian and overseas ( Canada, UK, Europe and USA) U3A sites and to other useful resources for U3As and U3A members.
Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA)
ASCCA is the national peak body for seniors and technology and was created for seniors, particularly those interested in using computers. The ASCCA website has an extensive database of links to senior related sites in Australia and overseas covering topics from accessibility and disability, communications, education and tutorials, finance, gardening, genealogy, health, organisations, search engines, senior sites, shopping, software/hardware, and travel. Development kits for developing computer clubs are available onsite.
Contact details
Manager
Community Connectivity
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Email: community.connectivity@dcita.gov.au