This project aims to bridge the digital divide that, particularly during COVID-19, has increased social isolation for older adults. Through the use of digital storytelling programs and one-on-one digital training provided by students, older adults will develop the skills needed to break through isolation.  Participants will learn how to view and save historic images from the Hamilton Public Library’s Local History and Archives. Participants will use these images as the inspiration for a fiction or non-fiction writing project.  Older adults are paired with undergraduate university students to learn technology skills and share stories. The project will use the findings of this academic and community-informed research to document, assess and improve best-practices that can be shared broadly and will lay the foundation for future research in Canada and worldwide. This program is offered in partnership with McMaster University Reading Lab, the McMaster University Seniors Computer Lab Project and Hamilton Public Library. 

Principal Investigator: Victor Kuperman (Humanities) 

Co-Investigators: Brian Detlor (Business), James Gillett (Social Sciences), Ranil Sonnadara (Health Sciences/Science), Brenda Vrkljan (Health Sciences) 

Project Coordinator: Nadia Lana, Phd. Candidate