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Institute of Gerontology

Computer & Technology Resources

This webpage was created to archive resources and materials co-created with people ages 65+, for people ages 65+. The content is based on recommendations from local Detroiters who collaborated on a project to increase digital inclusion among older adults. Our goal is to help older adults stay connected with family, friends and religious, healthcare, and research communities through technology. The content was developed through support from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research.

"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/

Resources and partners

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. 

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. 

Email 

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.

Connect to 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. 

Digital Inclusion Partners, Deborah Beard, Dell Stubblefield, Zachary Rowe, Winona Bynum, Sandra Turner-Handy

Age-Inclusive Research & Communication

connect313 tile Carrie Leach   leach Schroeck digital divide Detroit older adults    

  • 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 26). 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
  • Mcfarlane, S. J., Williamson, L. D., Hull, S., Leach, C., Magsamen-Conrad, K. & Shaunak, S. (2024, Apr 5). The role of communication science in community-based participatory research. Panel presentation. Kentucky Conference on Health Communication: Innovations in Health Communication, Lexington, KY. 
  • 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. 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 2). 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 23). 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 6). 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 

Multiple photos of members of Wayne State's IOG team.

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 and in listening to and transcribing interview and focus group data collected from older adults (n=5,500) who often shared insights about their shrinking social networks and communication resources to draw from in later life. My goals are to conduct research to understand the communication disjuncture between older adults and their networks and community and to translate research for action so that it can be used to improve communication processes and policies and the flow of information to help people manage their health. More recently, I have focused my research on digital exclusion among older adults, and specifically, how it impacts Detroit residents who live in a city with the lowest internet connectivity rate in the nation.

For more information please contact me via email at carrieleach@wayne.edu