Information technology and seniors

The Office of Senior Victorians, in partnership with Community Information and Communication Technology, has provided funding over two years to conduct the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Seniors Surfers project during 2008-09. Volunteers are undertakeing a train-the-trainer course so they can provide introductory internet training and ongoing support to older people in their language of origin. The project is establishing public internet facilities in venues where older ethnic people feel comfortable and supported. CALD Senior Surfers is being delivered
by new window icon Vicnet, the State Library of Victoria’s community internet provider.

The following community organisations are participating in the project:

  • Australian Romanian Community Association of Victoria
  • Australian Vietnamese Women’s Welfare
  • Eastern Districts Polish Association
  • Federation of Chinese Association
  • Gippsland Multicultural Services
  • Migrant Resource Centre North West
  • San Marco in Lamis Circolo Persionati
  • Shepparton Ethnic Communities Council
  • Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre
  • Victorian Arabic Social Services

The CALD Senior Surfers project was launched by the Community Development Minister on 16 May 2008.

Read the Volunteers Help Seniors Surf the Web media release.

This project builds on the Multilingual Senior Surfers pilot project the Office of Senior Victorians undertook in partnership with
Linked page opens in a new window Vicnet. The aim of the pilot project was to gauge interest in using the internet among older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to pilot a range of approaches to awareness raising and training. The project also aimed to raise awareness of the special needs of culturally and linguistically diverse seniors among local training and internet providers, to encourage more creative and inclusive approaches to training and mentoring.

The Evaluation Report (PDF 330kb) found that the seniors who participated were very interested in using the internet but would need in-depth training and ongoing support to practice newly learnt skills.

For further information please contact us

Web Site Updates

DPCD's websites are progressively being updated to reflect the changes following the establishment of the department. This means you will continue to see some references to the Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) as changes are being made.


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