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Cell phones and wireless devices are an important - and for some the only - way for people of all ages to stay connected to each other and the world.
Older adults, in particular, are increasingly relying on cell phones to stay in touch. They often have questions about selecting phones and calling plans, and how to use their phones effectively.
To answer those questions, AT&T and OASIS are hosting a series of free seminars. A February event at the Pittsburgh OASIS in the downtown Macy's store drew 54 people who pre-registered for one-on-one coaching on how to use their cell phones.
The event began with a seminar on buying and using cell phones. Participants learned how to shop for a cell phone, available features, how to make calls, save phone numbers, set up ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers, keep track of appointments, and in general use a cell phone to their best advantage.
Participants received one-on-one coaching from AT&T volunteers to answer their questions and help them learn to use their current phones, regardless of which carrier they were using.
"I wish I had this workshop five years ago when I bought my phone," said one participant. "I've been carrying around a calendar all these years and didn't know my phone had one!"
The event was just the latest in a series that began with a pilot in Houston last year. Bill Browning, OASIS Connections coordinator in Houston, said a "Technology Talk" class he presented sparked the idea.
"The interest level for cell phones was very high," Browning said. "Everyone in the room had lots of questions. I spent as much time as I could answering individual questions. In informal polls at our classes I hear over and over: 'We know very little about how to use a cell phone. We want to be able to do basic things. Our kids hurry through the explanation and the stores are intimidating. We'd love to have a class that will show us how to use our phone.'
Browning planned a pilot class last summer, recruiting three volunteer coaches and allotting each of 36 participants 15 minutes with a coach to answer their individual questions. One 90-year-old woman made and received her first cell phone call; she had owned her phone for four months. There was strong interest in a follow-up, and AT&T agreed to provide volunteers to coach people at a November event that drew 40 people.
Since then, OASIS & AT&T have offered the program in Phoenix and Pittsburgh and planned one in Atlanta on March 12, 2008. More are planned this year in Los Angeles (March 26-27), Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Montgomery County MD, St. Louis, Chicago and San Antonio.
Mike Bennett of AT&T Services has organized AT&T support, providing volunteers and assistance for the events. "We are thrilled with the interest in these events, and look forward to doing many more of these in other cities with OASIS," said Bennett.