As Comcast continues a $22 Million dollar expansion to provide internet services to more than 18,000 Eagle Mountain homes and businesses they continue to invest in other areas of the community as well. The Comcast Foundation is also funding a $30,000 grant to partner with the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce and the Eagle Mountain Library to launch the Digital Navigator, Digital Literacy Program to increase adoption and digital skills for the aging population in Eagle Mountain.
Eagle Mountain City, Utah, has witnessed a steady rise in its aging population over the last decade, with the percentage of individuals aged 65 and above increasing from 6.4% in 2010 to 9.7% in 2020, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. This demographic shift is anticipated to continue, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that senior residents have the knowledge and confidence to embrace digital technology and remain active, connected members of the community. As the younger populations move into Eagle Mountain they are being followed by their Grandparents.
“…Eagle Mountain is a fascinating community because it’s one of the fastest growing cities in the country… and it is the youngest city in Utah by average age… Utah is the youngest state in the nation. So [there are] really fascinating demographics going on here with so many schools, so many kids, so many young families coming into this community… It’s been growing and thriving in many ways, and so we’re grateful to see the infrastructure coming into place. I mean, I work with the school district… [schools are] coming, like fast and furious…we just opened a brand new school this year, and it’s already busting at the seams… So many kids, [and] so many families living right here in Eagle Mountain.
Tyler Vigu – Executive Director of the Alpine School District Foundation
To help Seniors bridge the gap Comcast and the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to provide financial support to the Eagle Mountain Library to a digital literacy program for the Senior population of Eagle Mountain. The goal of this program is to help the older adults of Eagle Mountain tackle the problems of Digital Skills Gap, Digital Fear and Insecurity, and Limited Technology Access. This program is called the Digital Navigator, Digital Literacy Program. The digital literacy center will be located in the Eagle Mountain Chamber’s new office space.
To help people understand what the Digital Navigator, Digital Literacy Program is Comcast has supplied the following information.
Proposed Digital Navigator, Digital Literacy Program:
The Eagle Mountain City, Utah Library aims to address these challenges through the implementation of a comprehensive Digital Navigator, Digital Literacy Program. This initiative seeks to accomplish the following outcomes:
- Digital Skills Training: The program will offer tailored digital literacy workshops and one-on-one training sessions, equipping older adults with essential technology skills and building their confidence in using digital devices and online platforms.
- Education
- Information literacy
- Ethical use of digital resources
- Understanding digital footprints
- Protecting yourself online
- Handling digital communication
- Skills-based
- Internet Adoption 101
- Email Communication 101
- Social Media 101
- Accessing Government and Community Resources 101
- Basic Computer Software 101
- Education
- Community Engagement: Through the program, the library system will facilitate intergenerational activities, encouraging interactions between seniors and younger generations to foster mutual learning and bridge the digital divide.
- Technology Access Centers: The grant will support the establishment of technology access centers within the library, equipped with devices and internet connectivity to provide seniors with readily available resources for enhancing their digital capabilities.
- Virtual Resources: The library will curate and provide a collection of user-friendly online resources catering to the interests and needs of the aging population, encouraging them to explore new avenues of learning and entertainment.
The program aims to have the following outcomes:
- Increase in Digital Literacy
- Enhanced Technology Adoption
- Improved Confidence in Technology Usage
- Increased Access to Digital Resources
- Promotion of Lifelong learning
- Social Inclusion and Connectivity
Comcast saw a need in our community, especially among our aging population. Seniors are very susceptible to fraud and all sorts of other things that happen because it’s a new technology to them. Comcast has made a significant investment in the seniors of our community to create a Digital Navigators program. They’re partnering with the Eagle Mountain City Library and Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce. We are building a computer center in our Business Resource Center where we’ll be able to bring our senior citizens into the computer center, and they will be taught by some of Eagle Mountain’s youth. It’s such a great relationship that we’re building between the Chamber, the Eagle Mountain Library, and a private business to be able to make these services available to our seniors. Plus it gets bonus points because it’s bringing the youth and the seniors together.
As a representative of the businesses of Eagle Mountain, I see that digital literacy is huge. Everything that our businesses do now is online and with their phones, laptops, tablets, and we need our kids and all of our population to be able to access these types of tools, but also to be able to use them and know how they work. Another big thing we learned during the years of the pandemic is that technology is the lifeblood for many people to be connected to other people. After everything that’s happened, we still need that connection. There are so many families that make their living is using the Internet. Lots of parents in our community work from home, in home offices. Without a good strong signal, and access to tech equipment, they’re unable to do their job and provide for their family.
Melissa Clark – President of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce
Comcast continues, “By providing Eagle Mountain City’s aging population with access to a digital navigator and a comprehensive digital literacy program, this grant aims to address the challenges hindering internet adoption and technology use among seniors. Empowering older adults with essential digital skills will foster social inclusion, connectivity, and lifelong learning, ensuring that they remain active and engaged participants in the digital age. The establishment of this program will be a vital step towards creating an inclusive and digitally empowered community.”
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.