Using a computer, smartphone or tablet to easily complete operations that once were much more complicated with just a few touches thanks to “touch” devices, explained by the protagonists of Project “Grandparents On-line. Everyone’s Young at the Post Office” to residents who wish to discover more about public administration services on digital devices.
Twenty schools will host a “digital desk” to provide allow the digital grandparents to provide advice to laocal residents on new digital opportunities.
After 30 hours of study with their young tutors, these over-65s are now ready to become peer tutors themselves and help others to learn about the potential of mobile communications and the efficient use of smartphones and tablets to simplify operations with banking and postal service apps. It’s an original intergenerational task force composed of students, grandparents and coordinating teachers, who will teach visitors how to mail a letter on-line, make a payment, manage a package pickup from home and communicate with distant friends or see a TV programme again.
Schools from the following 20 cities are participating in this initiative: Ancona, Aosta, San Donà di Piave, Cagliari, Catania, Chivasso, Milano, Campobasso, L’Aquila, Napoli, Perugia, Pisa, Potenza, Genova, Reggio Calabria, Roma, Sassuolo, Taranto, Trento, Pordenone [see calendar].
The project is the result of a strategic alliance between Poste Italiane, that wished to promote equal access opportunities to these new services and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, which works to promote the use of new technology amongst the categories most at risk of digital and social exclusion.
The initiative, which has the twofold objective of promoting an active lifestyle amongst the elderly and simplifying their transition to the digital economy, is based on the precious help of young students. All participants can access a rich kit that includes manuals, video lessons and digital hints.
