BRADENTON, Fla. — Seniors who attend the Meals on Wheels Daybreak Adult Daycare in Bradenton now have access to a new computer lab and weekly internet basics classes.

The new computer lab was unveiled on Monday morning at the campus off SR-70 and shortly after, the first class kicked off.

Those in attendance started the class by learning how to power up the computer, enter a username, and navigate using a mouse. The group then moved on to typing key phrases into Google in order to find photos and information. It wrapped up with a small tutorial on how to watch videos using YouTube.

 

 

 

Faces around the room lit up as each attendee typed the name ‘Dean Martin’ into the YouTube search bar and saw the hundreds of videos available of his performances in the 1960s.

"It's really important that our seniors get the right exposure and the right education to help bridge some of these technology gaps,” said Rep. Will Robinson, (R) FL-District 71.

Each week, the group will learn new skills to help them navigate the internet.  In the weeks to come they will be diving into search engines, video chatting, and social media.

"Spectrum Internet Assist is that program that brings low-cost broadband to help our seniors be connected,” explained Joe Durkin of Charter Communications.

Attendee Dorothy Harness said while she used to use a computer for work, she hasn’t used the internet in roughly a decade. She was most interested in learning up-to-the-minute information about what is happening in the world, as well as tips and recipe ideas to stay healthy.

“If you don't have the money but you can have a computer, then you can just go where you want to in the world,” Harness said.

Charter Communications, Inc., in partnership with Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee and state Rep. Will Robinson helped make the new program possible.