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Technological developments have already had a significant impact on how people communicate and do business with each other.
Information technologies have changed the whole pattern of people’s lives, as completely as broadcasting, telephony and high-speed transport did in the past. If the precedent of these past revolutions in communications is followed, the social and economic benefits will be disproportionately enjoyed by those who adopt them.
Individuals can expect easy access to a wealth of information, entertainment, and to cheaper services, with opportunities for choice, participation, communication, lifelong learning and leisure. Businesses are also increasingly turning to electronic commerce, to be more competitive and to serve customers better.
Liverpool City Council has recognised these facts and has developed the first fully accessible web portal specifically designed for the over fifty’s with the vision of an on-line interactive ‘Community Centre’ www.fiftyplus.liverpool.gov.uk
Being able to access important tailored information via a dedicated access point ‘one stop shop’ will ensure the older generation are socially included in the e-revolution and are provided information and ease of access to make ‘in some cases’ life changing’ informed decisions.
Lack of access to ICT leads to or reinforces disadvantage at a number of levels. For adults, computer literacy can be important for re-entering the labour market. And for the community as a whole, better access to communications networks can improve the quality of council services, making it easier to access opportunities in other areas, and enhance local social cohesion.
Computer access to the internet at home has grown considerably over the years and is steadily increasing; children have access to and use the ‘world of knowledge’ which is available at their fingertips on a daily basis, traditionally for many of their parents and grandparents it still remained a mystery. However, this is changing and the older generation are having to catch up as many service providers go ‘paperless’ and ‘on-line’ access via the internet whether to pay bills or access information is now more a necessity.
Creating a web site tailored to the older generation encourages them to want to use ICT and together with exploited learning opportunities a whole new window of knowledge and information is now at there fingertips.
Every library in Liverpool offers free access to the internet together with free basic use of ICT training. The city centre library alone has 70 computers with internet access.
Easily accessible pavement pods have been placed around the city for ease of access to information and services. The content includes not only Council information but also information from other agencies that is constantly being developed and will include access to FIFTYplus.
The classic image of pensioners sitting in armchairs gazing sadly into space and wondering wistfully why their grandchildren never visit is firmly in the past.
One of Liverpool's fifty plus citizens was so delighted with the learning opportunities received from the city council, the opportunity was taken to travel to London last year with council officers to tell the government.
This helped towards the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister awarding the city council Beacon Status for 'Social Inclusion’ through ICT by giving communities access to new technology, allowing people to contact the council when they want and how they want, and closing the 'digital divide'.
The FIFTYplus project promotes communications between older people, friends, relatives, other service users and service providers. The site will help drive improvements in service access, service delivery and service integration across health, social care, culture and leisure for older people, their carers and other professionals who support them.
Andrew Pinder the government’s e-Envoy said: “…..commitment to enabling and encouraging older people to try the Internet is an important move towards ensuring that older people are included in the IT revolution. Online government services should make life quicker and easier for everyone and older people are among those who stand to benefit most from using them. But first we need to make sure older people have the chance to get online and ensure that older people realise the benefits that the internet can bring to their lives.”
Winning this award would recognise the hard work of the staff at the frontline of delivering services in ensuring the customer has information as and when it is needed.
Maureen Sparks
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