In the spotlight: The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA)
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Educate seniors and people with disabilities in the use of technology as a way of enriching their lives and making them more self-reliant technology users. ASCCA does this by providing information, training, forums, seminars and workshops relevant to information communications technology and other issues of importance to older or disabled people. The association also seeks to bridge the generation gap and assist seniors in finding ways to benefit the community at large through their collective experience and knowledge.
Our members…
Include computer clubs for seniors, organisations with a membership of seniors and organisations that recognise the value of technology for seniors. ASCCA has a network of member clubs in every Australian state and territory.
The biggest challenge our membership faces is…
The need for faster and more reliable broadband. We are looking forward to the rollout of the National Broadband Network. Many of our members are on limited fixed incomes and the cost of hardware and services is always a problem for them.
Member benefits include…
Using technology and accessing the Internet. This enables seniors to communicate with family and friends to enjoy e-commerce and to embrace
life-long learning in ways they never thought possible. The advantages of e-health enabled by the NBN will also be of enormous benefit.
We advocate strongly for…
Recognition of the needs of older people, including the need to learn how to use the technology of the 21st century in an appropriate and inexpensive manner.
Our greatest achievement…
Has been our ability to build our credibility and be in a position to be able to confidently announce what seniors want and need. We liaise with the three spheres of government and other organisations on behalf of our membership, and serve on many committees and boards that are addressing issues of great importance to seniors.
Our events….
Our next major event will be the 14th Australian Computer Conference for Seniors, which will be held at Rydges World Square on 13–14 November 2012. Participants will come from all over Australia and we already have bookings from people based in Japan and the UK. High-quality speakers have accepted our invitation to present and each afternoon there will be concurrent sessions taking place to ensure that there is something to suit the interest and level of technical knowledge of all participants.
As an association it is important to..
Provide a channel for communication between like-minded people.
Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.
