Our Technology and Scams page provides useful information for seniors on where to find assistive technology, what to do if you spot a scam, and where to find training and classes to improve your technology skills.

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Assistive Technology | Community Events | Lively | Be Connected | Tech Savvy Seniors | Scams

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is an aid or a piece of equipment that helps a person perform an everyday task. It includes things like screen reading software, mobility aids and prosthetics.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Assistive technology is fully funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but only for people who are disabled and under 65. If you meet these criteria, you can call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 for more information

Aids and Equipment Program

The Aids and Equipment Program provides subsidised and reissued aids to people with permanent or long-term disabilities, or who are frail aged. You cannot be a resident of an Australian Government-funded residential aged care facility or be able to claim the costs through private health insurance to receive a subsidy through this program. Read more about the Aids and Equipment Program eligibility criteria or contact the State-wide Equipment Program (SWEP) on 1300 747 937.

Assistive Technology for Older People (ATOP) Alliance

COTA Victoria is part of the Assistive Technology for Older People (ATOP) Alliance. The Alliance advocates for better accessibility to assistive technology for older people.  Read more about our work and the ATOP Alliance on our assistive technology policy page.

Community Events

COTA Victoria regularly holds events for seniors around scams, online safety and how to use technology. These are usually in small groups at our Little Lonsdale Street office in Melbourne. Check the events listings for an up-to-date calendar of events, or contact us for more information about upcoming sessions.

Lively

Lively brings older people and younger people together to teach digital technology skills and provide social interaction. The Lively Helper can visit you at home at a time that suits you. There is a $45 charge per one-hour home visit.

Topics they can help with include:

• creating documents
• using Youtube or social media
• taking videos.

Visit Lively for more information and sign up details, or call them on 03 8060 8467.

Be Connected

Be Connected is a program for people of all ages, from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. It provides online resources to learn how to use and engage with technology. These are presented as short videos and webinars. There is also a directory of organisations that you can visit for help.

Topics include:

• being safe online
• talking to friends and family
• connecting to old friends and finding new friends
• shopping online.

Tech Savvy Seniors

Victorian Tech Savvy Seniors allows older people to develop skills with technology. It provides access to free online training resources and videos. Some libraries also have the videos (as DVDs) available for loan.

Topics include:

• home computers
• mobile phones, tablets and e-readers
• social networks
• internet and emails.

It is run by Seniors Online as part of the Age Friendly Partners program. Visit Tech Savvy Seniors for more information, or ask your local library about the DVDs.

Scams

Anyone can fall for a scam, as scammers become smarter and more sophisticated. There are many different types of scams. They can include things like pyramid schemes, letters about fake lottery winnings or ‘phishing’ emails or phone calls attempting to get your personal information.

Scamwatch

Scamwatch helps you recognise and avoid scams. Their website includes detailed information about different types of scams and has information specific to seniors. ScamWatch Radar sends out email alerts on the latest scams. There are also resources on where to get help if you are scammed and tips on how to stay safe. You can report scams you encounter to Scamwatch to add to their database. Information is also available in your language.

Consumer Affairs Victoria

Consumer Affairs Victoria offers a series of videos that teach you about different scams. Each video includes a transcript along with tips to protect yourself. Some videos feature real stories from people who have been scammed. Visit Consumer Affairs Victoria to watch them.