Carter Burden Roosevelt Island Senior Center Needs Your Help Identifying Roosevelt Island Home Bound Seniors And Disabled Adults Who Could Benefit From Tech Pals, A New Program Using Amazon Echo Smart Devices To Improve Social Interaction and Quality Of Life

Do you know a Roosevelt Island home bound senior or adult with disabilities who may benefit from using the Amazon Echo Show smart screen device to improve their ability to interact with others and enhance their quality of life.

If you do, please contact the Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center so they may offer this new tech based program to help the person.

Tech Pals is designed to improve access to services, independence, and social connectedness for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities through a holistic approach using technology. Funded in part through a generous grant from the New York Community Trust.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to Roosevelt Island-based homebound seniors and adults with disabilities who have limited interaction with others due to their disability 
• Participants must have Wi-Fi and a mobile phone with SMS (texting) capability
• Participants must be willing to participate in program activities including pre and post surveys, a social media group, and in-home device setup and training 
• Participants must keep the devices for themselves for the 2-year project period

Participants will receive:

• A free Amazon Echo Show smart screen device (valued at $230)
• One-on-one in-home device setup and training/technology education
• Ongoing troubleshooting assistance, as needed
• Access to virtual services through the CBN Roosevelt Island Senior Center (case management, presentations, and socialization)

Please contact Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Outreach Coordinator Yulisa Santana or Tech Coordinator Jay Yi if you know anyone that can benefit by the Tech Pals program.

Jay Yi adds:

I am the designated Tech / Instructor who is installing, setting up and showing homebound Seniors how to make the best use of the Amazon Echo Show device.

My background is in Information Technology and Technical Instructional Education in both the private and Non-Profit Sectors. I have previously worked in Vocational Schools, The Coalition for the Homeless and also most recently at the NY Housing Authority.

I am very pleased to have the honor of helping our Seniors improve and facilitate their daily life routines with this Artificial Intelligent Technology Device. I look forward to meeting many more of you while listening and sharing our experiences together while aiding more Seniors any way that I can.

Carter Burden Network Roosevelt Island Senior Center Director Lisa Fernandez describes the Tech Pals program during the November 13 Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Public Session.

Here's what Ms Fernandez said.



And an example of Amazon Echo helping disabled people.