The Electronic Recycling Association is excited to announce our partnership with Gett Sett and Confederation Park 55+ Activity Centre! ERA is providing the laptops and Gett Sett is teaching seniors the basics of using a computer.
Merv Graham, a local Calgarian, created Gett Sett to implement a program for seniors with limited digital skills. Over the years, he has taught in computer labs in various schools, colleges, universities (UBC and USASK), and companies. He also created a program supported through Calgary Learns called Computer Access for Literacy Learners (CALL). For 2 years, Merv taught new Canadians English and at the same time how to use computers to enable them to learn English and communicate digitally. With all his experience, we know the Seniors Computer Skills Program will be a huge success!
The ERA is thrilled to support the education of seniors on the functionality of computers with the donation of laptops for this new program. There can be different barriers when training older adults such as a fear of technology, visual or hearing impairments, and issues with motor skills. Merv is competent to handle all issues and help his students build confidence and learn new skills. One of the most important things he will teach the students is how to use a computer to stay connected with friends and family. Through the pandemic, this demographic has been experiencing more isolation and loneliness than most, and this partnership between ERA and Gett Sett will help to alleviate this issue.
The Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to address the growing problem of e-waste and the increasing ‘digital divide’. For over fifteen years, ERA has offered simple solutions to help individuals and organizations prevent operational equipment from premature destruction. With a focus on recovery, refurbishment, and reuse, ERA continuously supplies charitable groups with donated IT equipment while securely managing the retiring IT assets of organizations and individuals across Canada. We believe that reuse before recycling is critical in managing the waste created by computer hardware, and by offering industry-leading data destruction for all equipment we receive, we have securely repurposed hundreds of tons of equipment. Because not everything ERA receives can be reasonably repurposed, we have partnered with certified recycling organizations to process equipment that has reached the end of its productive life.
