Computer & Technology Resources
This webpage was created to archive resources and materials developed in collaboration with people aged 65 and older, specifically for the 65+ age group. The content is based on recommendations from local Detroit residents who worked together on a project aimed at improving digital access and research inclusion for older adults. Our goal is to help older adults stay connected with their family, friends, and important communities—such as religious, healthcare, and research—through technology.
REGISTRATION OPEN:
From Digital Exclusion to Research Inclusion: Toward a Healthier Digital Environment
March 5, 2025 event @ https://bit.ly/TequityDetroit
Age-Friendly Technology & Research Resources
Age-Friendly Technology Toolkit
Age-Friendly Technology Toolkit: This document includes everything you need to know about using a Google Chromebook and includes all of the documents listed individually below.
Aging Research Readiness Curriculum
Build Your Capacity for Aging Research: A Research Readiness Curriculum: Developed with and for older adults to provide a basic understanding of the academic research process and to familiarize them with research terms and concepts.
Local Connections: Where to Access Wi-fi in Detroit & Safety Tips
Computer Connections & Concerns: This fact sheet includes information about why and where to connect to computers and the internet, and resources available throughout Detroit to help build computer skills and sign up for low cost internet plans.
Create a Gmail Account: This fact sheet was designed to help you create a Gmail account.
Zoom
Meeting ID option: This fact sheet shows you how to use Zoom with a Meeting ID option.
Email link option:This fact sheet shows you how to use Zoom with a link option.
Wi-fi
First time user: This fact sheet shows you how to connect your Google Chromebook to wi-fi if you are a first time user.
Existing user: This fact sheet shows you how to connect your Google Chromebook to wi-fi if you have used your Chromebook before.
Introduction to Chromebook
Chromebook 101: We created a guide to help people use a computer, with a focus on using Google Chromebooks in particular.
Glossary of Tech Terms
Glossary of Tech Terms: Created to help people understand more about terms related to computers and technology.
Partners & Contributors
Acknowledgements: This document acknowledges everyone involved in the co-development of the tools and resources on this webpage.
Community-Inclusive Research & Resources
- Leach, C., Harrison, M., Rowe, Z., Beard, D., Hopp, F., Sneed, R., Charbonneau, D. & Bynum, W. (2025). Build Your Capacity for Aging Research: A Research Readiness Curriculum. Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University. https://iog.wayne.edu/byc-research-readiness.pdf
- Leach, C. & Jankowski, T. (2024). Older adults as key assets in a community-based participatory needs assessment: How partnering with older people improves local aging policy and practice. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 10, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214241234237 PMCID: PMC10949539
- Leach, C. & Stubblefield, D. (2024, Mar). Dynamics of successful partnerships and strategies for centering older people in research across the community engagement continuum. [Webinar] Invited, Institute of Gerontology Research Colloquium, Detroit, MI. URL: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Zz3lvYDE6U9oV9F_YsewrRlBM4ETsVPs
- Schroeck, N. & Leach, C. (2023). The exacerbating role of technical and connectivity challenges on older Detroiters’ health in a pandemic. Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental & Innovation Law, Vol. 13: Iss.12, Article 1. URL: https://digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sjteil/vol13/iss2/1 PMCID: PMC10287550
- Leach, C., Novak, J., Jankowski, T., Pierce, S. & Lapan, P. (2023). An exploration of the communication dynamics of the hard-to-reach: Considering disintegration of a communication infrastructure in old age. International Journal of Communication, 17, 5781–5801. URL: https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/21006/4323
- Leach, C. (2023). In their own words: Dynamics that contribute to successful and sustained partnerships in CBPR with older people. [Abstract]. Innovation in Aging, 7(Suppl1): 85–86. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.0276
- Londono, H., Stoycheff, E., Leach, C., Hudgins, B., Bahl, R., Lilly, J. & Ramirez, R. (2023, Oct). Modeling healthy digital habits for Detroit youth, seniors & families. Panel, Connect313 Detroit Digital Inclusion Conference, Detroit, MI.
- Leach, C. & Moss, K. (2023). Inclusion and integration of community stakeholder perspectives in research: Insight from and for gerontologists. Innovation in Aging, 7(Suppl 1):582. [Abstract] https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.1906
- Leach, C. (2023). Understanding the role of communication disparities in late old age: Strategies for connecting with the hardly reached [Webinar]. Michigan Institute for Care Management & Transformation Annual Meeting. URL: https://www.mivideo.it.umich.edu/media/t/1_z2z1dteg
- Leach, C. (2023, Jun). Computer connectivity and the digital divide. [Webinar]. Gracefully Greying. URL: https://gracefullygreying.com/News/computer-connectivity-and-the-digital-divide
- Leach, C. & Jankowski, T. (2022). Exploring communication disparities in late old age through the lens of communication infrastructure theory, Innovation in Aging, 20;6(Suppl 1):585. [Abstract]. URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.2195
- Leach, C. (2022, Nov). The exacerbating role of digital exclusion on older Detroiters health and strategies for bridging the divide. [Webinar]. Community-Engaged Research Symposium: Strategies for Strengthening Partnerships, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94WbHm-zSjg
- Leach, C., Chapman, R., Stubblefield, D. & Schroeck, N. (2022). The role of communication disparities in older African American Detroit residents “Dying Before Their Time”: Strategies for bending the digital equity arc towards health and justice. Panel chair, Connect313 Detroit Digital Inclusion Research Symposium, Detroit, MI.
- Leach, C. & Geary, C. (2022). Opportunities and outcomes of centering older adults in patient-oriented and community-engaged research. Innovation in Aging [Abstract], Volume 6, Issue Suppl1, Nov, p367, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac059.1449
- Schroeck, N. & Leach, C. (2021). The exacerbating role of technical and connectivity challenges on Detroiters’ health in a pandemic. Detroit Mercy Law Review Annual Symposium, Pandemic: From Disparity to Equity, Detroit, MI.
Media
- 2024 NIEHS Grantee Highlight: Carrie Leach, PhD, Bridging the Gap Between Seniors, Science, and Technology. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Sep 2024
- Older Detroiters Face Barriers to Telehealth, Hour Detroit, Nov 2023
- Detroit’s digital exclusion worsens COVID-19 impact on older African Americans, WSU OVPR press release, Aug 2023
- Wayne State University Receives Award to Bridge Detroit’s Resident-Research Divide, Today@Wayne, WSU, Jun 2023
- Bridging the Resident-Research Divide in Detroit, Transitions newsletter, Institute of Gerontology, WSU, Mar 2023
- New Award Will Help to Advance Digital Equity in Detroit, CHECK-UP, WSU, Feb 2023
- New Paths for Community Connection in Detroit, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Spotlight; Oct 2021
"Technology may be second nature for many people, but its ubiquity only underscores the disadvantages experienced by those who remain offline."
-AARP on Digital Equity @ https://oats.org/digital-equity/
About
My name is Carrie Leach and my interest in communication stemmed from my experience in conducting needs assessments at the city, county, and regional level (n=5,500) and listening to and transcribing interview and focus group data collected from older adults who shared stories about their shrinking social networks and communication resources to draw on for support. My research aims are to understand the communication dynamics of older adults and how social and community connections change in later later life, and to use study findings to inform meaningful changes in communication processes and improve the flow of useful and relevant information and access to communication resources.
For more information please contact me at carrieleach@wayne.edu