Ideas for helping elders get access to Internet music
October 7, 2013 11:22 PM Subscribe
Are there any good resources for helping a low-income senior get Internet access?
I'm in San Francisco trying to help an elderly former record store owner get access to online music service. He's cooped up with nothing but network TV shows he doesn't like but was excited when exposed to Spotify via a visitor's 4G smartphone connection.
Wondering if there is some company or organization that would help him get broadband at a discounted rate for an older person living in an apartment for elders, maybe by sharing a signal with neighbors. Maybe there is a nonprofit that is working on similar issues? Any ideas much appreciated.
I'm in San Francisco trying to help an elderly former record store owner get access to online music service. He's cooped up with nothing but network TV shows he doesn't like but was excited when exposed to Spotify via a visitor's 4G smartphone connection.
Wondering if there is some company or organization that would help him get broadband at a discounted rate for an older person living in an apartment for elders, maybe by sharing a signal with neighbors. Maybe there is a nonprofit that is working on similar issues? Any ideas much appreciated.
Best answer: I worked at a nonprofit that deals with access to telecommunications and broadband. The government shutdown is impeding my ability to look up local resources but this and the people involved may be helpful--
San Francisco is the recipient of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal grant under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to promote sustainable broadband adoption. The San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) oversees the portion of the grant intended to stimulate usage and adoption of broadband services by seniors and adults with disabilities.
Broadband Opportunity Coalition (BBOC), a historic alliance of national civil rights organizations formed to increase broadband adoption in unserved and underserved communities nationwide.
Lifeline is a government program that provides a monthly discount on telephone service (landline or mobile) for eligible low-income households to ensure that all Americans have the ability to communicate. [They're conducting pilots now expanding the program to include broadband; can't remember the locations.]
posted by inevitability at 12:16 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
San Francisco is the recipient of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act federal grant under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) to promote sustainable broadband adoption. The San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) oversees the portion of the grant intended to stimulate usage and adoption of broadband services by seniors and adults with disabilities.
Broadband Opportunity Coalition (BBOC), a historic alliance of national civil rights organizations formed to increase broadband adoption in unserved and underserved communities nationwide.
Lifeline is a government program that provides a monthly discount on telephone service (landline or mobile) for eligible low-income households to ensure that all Americans have the ability to communicate. [They're conducting pilots now expanding the program to include broadband; can't remember the locations.]
posted by inevitability at 12:16 AM on October 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't have a recommendation for connectivity, but once he's online, The Alexander Street Press Music Databases are incredible sources of streaming albums. All he needs is an SF Public Library card (and Internet access).
posted by mumkin at 1:11 AM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by mumkin at 1:11 AM on October 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't know about music, but another service your friend might like is radio reading. It's a program that gives the elderly (and other qualified individuals) with visual and physical impairments a specialized radio that only plays news and general interest programs. The radio is provided and all he would need is electricity. The programs usually consist of a person reading the newspaper, a magazine or book. It might be worth checking if the service is available in his area.
Search for Audio Information Services (directory)
posted by 1smartcookie at 10:25 PM on October 8, 2013
Search for Audio Information Services (directory)
posted by 1smartcookie at 10:25 PM on October 8, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by empath at 11:29 PM on October 7, 2013