Exploring the Digital Literacy Needs and Training Preferences of Older Adults Living in Affordable Housing

Abstract

This article reports on research about the digital literacy needs and training preferences of older adults living in affordable housing. Partnering with a Canadian public library and affordable housing corporation, we conducted a thematic analysis of interviews with 15 seniors in affordable housing. The analysis indicates that these seniors need training that is adaptable to an individual’s interests, promotes confidence, and addresses financial barriers to using information and communication technologies effectively. Findings affirm the value of accessible training located within seniors’ social networks. Drawing on critical gerontology, we discuss practical and policy implications for public libraries and affordable housing networks.

Keywords:

• Affordable housing
• digital empowerment
• digital inclusion
• digital literacy
• information and communication technologies
• low-income
• older adults
• public libraries
• seniors

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Sherry Fahim, HPL’s Director of Digital Technology and Creation, and Brenda Silverthorne, the Program Development Advisor at CHH, for your support in shaping our research question and in data collection, as well as the CHH staff and volunteers who operated the food markets.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by McMaster University’s Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA).