Against all odds: bridging the digital divide
Through her company E-Seniors, 67-year-old Monique Epstein has shared her computer expertise with seniors for ten years. Throughout a number of districts in Île-de-France, the association’s members organise sessions to teach senior citizens about new technologies. Working with small groups of four, the trainers use a highly personal approach to help the participants feel more confident with computers. By training young people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, E-Seniors also helps to enhance intergenerational communication.
As a strong advocate of e-inclusion, Google contacted Monique to offer its support. In 2013, Google’s employees welcomed groups of ten senior citizens to their Paris headquarters to answer their questions, put them at ease and help them get started with digital technology. To prolong its support, Google also donated several tablets to the association. “As an association, we work with a number of different partners. Google develops a variety of digital services for home automation and this could be of interest to our seniors in the future, since it could help them to enjoy a more active retirement.”
Google shares its digital expertise with us. In return, we offer Google Givers greater insight into the everyday reality for senior citizens.