NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In observance of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) will host an interactive webinar on digital skills.
The webinar is slated for Thursday, October 1 from 11am to 12.30pm.
The theme of this virtual session is “Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Basics for Seniors”.
Persons age 55 years and older are invited to attend the free event which aims to help older members of society develop skills required to effectively navigate the rapidly evolving digital world.
A panel of five experts from the public and private sectors will provide information on the various digital platforms that efficiently deliver consumer-related services to older persons in The Bahamas and facilitate social engagement.
Carol Roach, Acting Director, Department of Transformation and Digitization, will address online government services; Dr Charles Diggiss, president of Doctors Hospital, will focus on telehealth options for seniors; Schell Stubbs, vice president of CFA Society The Bahamas (CFASB), will address access to online banking services; Errol Bodie, Information Technology (IT) Manager at the Central Bank of The Bahamas, will discuss the need for ICTs; and Delores Archer, Dundas Centre for The Performing Arts Manager, will provide a crash course on using popular social media platforms and applications.
URCA is the independent regulator of the Electronic Communications Sector in The Bahamas and is committed to its mission of “improving lives through effective utilities regulation”.
URCA CEO J Carlton Smith said: “We recognize the important role emerging technologies play in the evolution of the digital society globally and the potential impact it has and will continue to have on small island developing states like The Bahamas.
“ICTs are important to the socio-economic development of The Bahamas and our current experience during this COVID-19 pandemic is evidence of the value digital platforms add to social and economic transformation while improving how Bahamians network, gain access to information and participate in the society.”
Smith said: “Our role becomes even more important when we consider the many older persons and other vulnerable consumers throughout our archipelago who may feel deprived of access to digital services in an ever-changing digital world.”
Considering the risks to older persons during pandemics like COVID-19, the UN chose as this year’s theme, “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”
Mavis Johnson-Collie, URCA Corporate and Consumer Relations Manager and moderator for the upcoming webinar said: “Technology has been critical to effective communication and business continuity during this pandemic. The rise in video conferencing, online shopping, delivery of other goods and services through various online applications, and the hosting of virtual seminars and training workshops are proof that communications have changed.
“This paradigm shift should change how we address our aging population as well. Older persons need forums that address their fears about technology and equip them with skills to keep them connected in this age of social distancing.”
“ICT Basics for Seniors” will also feature giveaways from various corporate sponsors. Each attendee will be entered to win a grand prize to be raffled during the webinar.
To register, visit tclevents.com.
So in order to learn digital skills, the seniors have to have digital skills to find & access the webinar and the needed technology & internet service????