One generation of people who are blind or visually impaired helps another.
Lighthouse Guild’s Technology Peers for Accessible Living (Tech Pals)
Our Tech Pals program is funded with a grant from the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation. The program matches young adults (aged 18-24) who are blind or visually impaired to serve as technology mentors to older adults aged 55+ who are also dealing with vision loss. The mentors teach the older adults how to use accessibility features and apps on their mobile phones and tablets.
I am more confident in using the devices that I have…I know how to gain access to apps and other things that enhances my life."
Mary, client
Benefits for Mentors
Mentors receive extensive training on techniques for teaching older adults through a collaboration with Cyber-Seniors©, a not-for-profit organization that provides virtual intergenerational technology training.
With instruction from the program manager, mentors develop new technology skills so they can adapt instruction to older adults’ unique vision needs.
Internship opportunities are available for the mentors each summer through Cyber-Seniors’ community partners to develop further skills leading to employment in the technology sector.
Benefits for Mentees
Training tailored for older adult mentees’ individual goals is provided at Lighthouse Guild’s state-of-the-art Technology Center on Saturday’s. Mentors are proficient in teaching accessibility features on personal devices and demonstrating helpful apps. Basic functions of mobile phones and tablets, such as texting, emailing, and using social media and remote platforms, are also taught.
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Receive exclusive invites to virtual and in-person sessions on accessible technology for people with vision loss.
