Seniors to get tech-savvy

NEC Australia has activated government-funded internet kiosks designed for senior citizens at 40 sites across Australia.

The kiosks were funded under the Federal Government's $15 million broadband for seniors initiative.

It was expected to result in the delivery of approximately 2,000 internet kiosks to various senior communities nationwide over the next three years.

The kiosks had information on neighbourhood housing, libraries, bowling clubs, retirement villages and organisations representing activities in hospitals, "as well as a host of other useful information to improve quality of life for older Australians", NEC said in a statement.

"The way [the initiative] has been set up is that [the Government funding] covers each kiosk's hardware and broadband cost," said Craig Norton, general manager of marketing at NEC.

The Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association and U3A were providing face-to-face training materials and online training as part of the project.

An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) report released earlier this year found that more than half of Australians aged over 65 don't have the internet at home and 44 per cent have never used the Web.

Applications for internet kiosks can be made at http://www.necseniors.net.au or via phone: 1300 795 897.