Alabama A&M University News August 31, 2013 A&M Empowering Older Adults Through Computing An innovative program at Alabama A&M University aims to strengthen families by helping older adults build and enhance their computer skills. Older adults will comprise a rapidly growing sector of American society in the decades ahead. Closing the infamous Digital Divide between older adults and other age groups is imperative to the successful aging of the former, said Dr. Dorothy Brandon, Extension family and child development specialist and program coordinator with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems Urban Affairs Unit at Alabama A&M University. Not only will skills in computer and Internet usage enhance the lives of older adults by increasing their independence, Dr. Brandon maintains that such abilities also will help the group remain connected to others, build their confidence and help them gain access to the information they need to carry on their lives. Toward this end, Brandon conducted a free evening course at AAMU through which a limited numbers of individuals over 50 could enroll for basic lessons on using microcomputers and the Internet. The course ran for a span of eight weeks, and individuals were taught basic word processing, use of calendars, games that promote mental acuteness, scrapbooking, how to conduct Internet searchers and other areas. The activity was sponsored by the Urban Affairs New and Nontraditional Programs Unit (UANNP) of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Extension's Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit continues to offer research-based educational opportunities that enhance the live of Alabama citizens and people around the world. For additional program information, please visit www.aces.edu/urban<http://www.aces.edu/urban> or call (256) 372-5710. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.