Generations on Line^® Launches “Sip & Swipe Cafes®”

--Creates groundbreaking tablet technology workshop and tool to narrow the digital divide--

(March 24, 2015) At the American Society on Aging Annual Conference in Chicago today, Generations on Line (GoL), a pioneer in digital literacy for seniors, announced the nationwide launch of Sip & Swipe Cafes®, a first-of-its-kind effort to provide tablet training to the 17 million older Americans who cannot yet use the Internet. 

Developed and tested in 15 Pennsylvania senior centers, Sip & Swipe Cafes® are a series of informal, caffeine-infused workshops that create a fun, low-stress way for older people to learn how to use tablets.  A new App—available through Sip & Swipe Cafes® and to the general public on iTunes under “Generations on Line”—provides the centerpiece of these trainings.

Seniors pay nothing to join the Cafes; centers are charged $150 a year for the software, tech support, coaching curriculum, student tips and skills checklist, and monthly promotional support.

“We are delighted to offer this effective, easy program to seniors nationwide through senior centers, retirement centers, and public libraries,” said GoL CEO and founder Tobey Dichter.  “And for families or friends of computer-naïve elders, the App can transform a thoughtful, but underused gift of an IPad into something that opens the door to a whole range of experiences, resources, and people.”

“Tablets are more fun, require less space, obviate the issues of in–home connectivity, and for most seniors are easier to use -- with the right support,” Ms. Dichter said.  A survey of the pilot sites found that after four hours' or less of training, 91% of Sip & Swipe Cafe® participants reported confidence that they could move forward with using a tablet computer on their own. Of those completely new to tablets, 94% reported a confidence level of 7 or above (on a 10-point scale).

Sip & Swipe Cafes® is available to any facility where seniors gather or live, Ms. Dichter said. It was developed with the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and Coming of Age. Sip & Swipe Cafes®  is a registered service mark of Generations on Line.

Generations on Line is a national nonprofit organization, winner of the Mind Alert Award for Innovation in older adult learning from the American Society on Aging. Begun in 1999, the organization has helped more than 80,000 seniors overcome access, skill, and intimidation barriers to Internet use.

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For further information see www.generationsonline.org; www.facebook.com/gol2000

Contact: Tobey Dichter tobeydichter@gmail.com; 215 990 7542 (c)  215 922 3244 (d)  215 222 6400 (o)