Seal Beach officials distribute free iPads to LW residents
TECHNOLOGY
Grant-funded gift meant to increase seniors' access to technology
by Ruth Osborn
rutho@lwsb.com
Seal Beach city officials, including Mayor Thomas Moore and Council member Nathan Steele, were in Leisure World last week to distribute fully loaded iPads to several lucky Leisure World clubs.
The gift of 15 free iPads was made possible by a state Access Technology grant awarded to the County of Orange Social Services Agency and OC Community Resources/OC Community
Seal Beach City Council member Nathan Steele (l-r), Golden Age Foundation President Anna Derby, Seal Beach Mayor Thomas Moore and Seal Beach Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallagos. IPADS
Services’ Office on Aging. The Access Technology program is managed by the California Department of Aging.
This award helps support the “Bridging the Digital Divide Program” targeted older adults with disabilities living in Orange County. The purpose of the program is to help seniors with accessing and using online technology.
The distribution of iPads, including data plans and training, will foster greater connection among clubs and residents in Leisure World.
The City of Seal Beach received the iPads as part of this grant opportunity, according to Seal Beach Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallagos.
Seal Beach Mayor Thomas Moore used his council discretionary funds to pay for keyboards, screen protectors and cases that will provide protection for the iPads and make the device more versatile and user-friendly.
The fully loaded devices were distributed to the Sunshine Club, the LW Women’s Club and the Filipino Association of LW, according to Gallagos.
He and his team spent several hours in LW last week getting the devices ready to hand off to LWers. Gallagos contacted Anna Derby, president of the Sunshine Club, for recommendations on iPad distribution.
Each of those clubs is known for its philanthropic work in LW.
Leisure Worlders hold brand new iPads distributed by officials from the City of Seal Beach. The donation was funded by a state Access Technology grant.
