On hand July 15 to cut the ribbon at the SAGE Cyber Center are, from
left, SAGE older adults technology services executive director Tom
Kamber, SAGE member James Whitfield, SAGE executive director Michael
Adams and New York City Council member Gayle Brewer. Photo Donna Aceto.
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By Joelle L. Quartini
Friday, August 01, 2008
Local LGBT seniors now have Internet access.
The first cyber center designed specifically for LGBT seniors opened July 15 at the offices of Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), located 305 Seventh Ave. near 27th Street.
The center includes nine computers. Classes and tutors will be available as well.
“Computers and the Internet are a great way for older people to stay connected to each other and the community—and that's what SAGE is all about,” said Michael Adams, executive director of SAGE, the world's oldest and largest advocacy agency for LGBT seniors.
Through funding from the New York City Council and Department for the Aging, SAGE now has nine computers for the agency's seniors.
“We know that there is a problem with the so-called ‘digital divide’ with LGBT seniors,” said Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE, the world's oldest and largest advocacy agency for LGBT seniors.
Many don’t have the access or the skills to use modern technology, but it can be a great tool for seniors, especially when it becomes harder for them to get out of the house
Social isolation is a huge problem for many seniors, but even more so for LGBT seniors.
“Most lack the traditional family structure for support,” Adams said. “They’re much less likely to have adult kids and much more likely to be single.”
Discussion groups, chat rooms and practical day-to-day applications such as shopping and researching medical information can bridge a huge societal gap for many LGBT seniors.
Older Adults Technology Services, which trains and supports older adults in all digital technologies, is hosting two 10-week classes at the SAGE Cyber Center, to teach seniors how to operate the machine, navigate windows, the Internet and email.
In addition, LGBT students have acted as classroom aids for the senior courses in conjunction with the LGBT Community Center’s Youth Enrichment Services program.
Although both classes are full at eight participants, more classes will open up.
In the future, SAGE plans to use the Cyber Center to provide the tools for LGBT seniors who want or need to get back into the workforce part-time, since technology has often acted as a barrier for those who have long since retired.
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