Community Tech Network is now digitalLIFT. Same training. Same advocacy. Same team. Same commitment!

Specialized
Training

Courses for those working on digital inclusion initiatives for specific populations, such as older adults, or within particular industries, like libraries and healthcare.

Courses

Shining the light on the great work of senior-serving agencies, this focus-area module will enhance your team’s ability to meet the specific needs of our nation’s aging population.

NUMBER OF LESSONS

37

VIDEO CONTENT

42 min

ENGAGEMENT TIME

2-3 hrs

PRICE

$300

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Understand the Digital Gap Within Older Populations
    Differentiate between stereotypes and realities in older adults’ tech adoption, noting common causes of low digital confidence
  • Articulate the Importance of Technology
    Learn to persuasively explain to older adults how the internet can enhance their lives, respectfully acknowledging the risks of digital disconnection
  • Recognize What Your Client Needs
    Assess and address older adults’ specific tech needs, aiding them in embracing new tools with a growth mindset
  • Enhance Device Accessibility for Aging Clients
    Discover and configure device accessibility features, such as screen contrast and touch sensitivity, that can meet older adults’ specific needs
  • Provide Additional Learning Materials
    Identify resources that address the most common digital barriers for older adults
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Course Curriculum

Introduction: Digital Equity & the Aging

Welcome and Course Goals

Digital Use Among Older Adults

Section Overview

Your Perspective

Ageism and the Problem with Generalizations

Differing Voices

Positive Aging

A Note About Language

Research

Knowledge Check

Factors Contributing to Lower Digital Use & Confidence

Section Overview

Brainstorm: What Are the Barriers?

What Happens When You Age?

Physical and Cognitive Factors

The Information Age: A Profound Transformation

Non-Physical Factors

Reflect: People You Know

The Implications of Digital Disconnection

Section Overview

The Risks of Digital Disconnection

The Benefits of Digital Connection

The Importance of Choice

The Whole Person

Reflection

Empathetic Communication and Active Listening

Section Overview

Dismantling Perceived Limitations

Digital Immigrants & Digital Natives

Teaching Tech to Older Adults

Instructional Resources

Enhancing Accessibility

Section Overview

Choosing a Device

Device Configuration & Accessibility

Interview: Accessibility Advocate and Tech Tutor Extraordinaire

Knowledge Check

Resources & Wrap Up

Resources & References

Wrapping Up

Post-Training Survey Prior to Completion Certificate

This train-the-trainer course is designed to empower digital navigators working in a healthcare or wellness setting.

NUMBER OF LESSONS

39

VIDEO CONTENT

40 min

ENGAGEMENT TIME

2-3 hrs

PRICE

$300

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Understand Digital Equity’s Impact on Health
    Learn how the digital divide affects access to care and other social determinants of health
  • Discover Digital Tools for Health Management
    Identify digital tools that can help patients and community members manage their physical and mental health
  • Address Clients’ Privacy Concerns
    Respond to concerns regarding privacy and health data confidentiality
  • Identify Patients’ Potential Digital Barriers
    Develop an understanding of the many different barriers that can stand in the way of patient healthcare in order to reframe issues of “noncompliance”
  • Encourage Digitally-Inclusive Patient Care Practices
    Learn how to identify areas in a patient’s social circle and community that could become more accessible through digital skills training
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Course Curriculum

Introduction: Digital Equity & Healthcare

Welcome and Course Goals

Wellness and the Digital Divide: Framing the Problem

Section Overview

Common Issues: Your Perspective

A Conversation with Methodist Healthcare Ministries

The Digital Divide in Action: Marilyn and Jayla

Digital Barriers for Patients

A Beginner’s Mindset

Additional Determinants of Health

Definitions and Research

Knowledge Check

Patient-Centered Digital Supports

Section Overview

“Noncompliance”

Resources

Identifying Digital Supports for Patients

Using Non-Judgmental Language

Practice: Local Assets and Referrals

Reflection: Dig Deeper

Digitally Inclusive Practice and Policy

Section Overview

Removing Barriers to Patient Care

Creating a Digitally Inclusive Practice

Digital Inclusion Beyond Medical Appointments

Provider Burnout and Lack of Staff Time

Knowledge Check

Digital Citizenship and Health

Section Overview

Health Misinformation

Healthcare and Mistrust

Digital Health: Understanding the Risks

Knowledge Check

Privacy Considerations

Section Overview

HIPAA

Beyond HIPAA: The Importance of Privacy

Additional Resources

Considering a Patient’s Situation and Social Group

Practice: Privacy

Reflection: Patient Privacy

Resources & Wrap Up

Test Your Knowledge

Resources & References

Wrapping Up

Post-Training Survey Prior to Completion Certificate

This train-the-trainer course is designed to empower digital navigators working in a library setting. The course provides multi-modal lessons, reflective exercises, and extensive resources applicable to digital inclusion within libraries.

NUMBER OF LESSONS

33

ENGAGEMENT TIME

2 hrs

PRICE

$300

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Recognize Digital Equity in the Context of Libraries
    Examine social inequalities that influence the digital divide while exploring the historical connection between public libraries and digital inclusion efforts
  • Strengthen the Library’s Digital Inclusion Practices
    Align digital inclusion practices with your library’s mission and specific role within your community
  • Understand Library Patrons’ Tech Needs
    Recognize typical tech needs of library patrons and determine suitable assistance
  • Educate Patrons on Online Safety Practices
    Teach patrons strategies to stay safe online and recognize potential risks or scams
  • Recommend Further Technology Resources
    Suggest relevant technology resources within and beyond the library
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Course Curriculum

Introduction: Digital Equity & Libraries

Welcome and Course Goals

Libraries and Digital Inclusion

Section Overview

Initial Reflection: Library Mission

Libraries, Information, and the Internet

Five Elements of Digital Inclusion

Exploring Your Library’s Mission

Additional Resources

Library Patrons and Their Digital Needs

Section Overview

Initial Reflection: Who Uses Library Technology?

Introduction: Digital Barriers

Understanding Digital Barriers

Practice: Overcoming Barriers

Different Supports for Different Needs

Practice: How Can I Help?

Approaches to Digital Inclusion in Libraries

Section Overview

Initial Reflection: Digital Inclusion at Your Library

Access: Internet and Devices

Task Support: One-on-One Assistance

Training: Individual and Group Learning

Exploring Your Library’s Offerings

Additional Resources

Online Safety and Privacy for Library Patrons

Section Overview

Digital Safety and Privacy

Top 10 Internet Safety Topics

Worked Example: Safety & Privacy Reminders

Practice: Supporting Patrons’ Privacy

Digging Deeper: Privacy Protections and the Library Bill of Rights

Further Resources in Your Community

Section Overview

Mapping Digital Inclusion Assets

Practice: Referring Out

Resources & Wrap Up

Resources & References

Wrapping Up

Post-Training Survey Prior to Completion Certificate

This course offers a foundation for supporting clients with public benefits access, covering key U.S. programs, common barriers like digital exclusion, secure online enrollment, privacy, boundaries, and reliable information sources.

NUMBER OF LESSONS

71

VIDEO CONTENT

1.5 hrs

ENGAGEMENT TIME

3-4 hrs

PRICE

$300

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

  • Navigate Public Benefits Programs
    Understand eligibility requirements and the enrollment processes for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, TANF, housing assistance, Lifeline, and more.
  • Conduct Pre-Qualification Assessments
    Assess client eligibility efficiently and identify potential barriers early in the process.
  • Assist with Online Enrollment
    Provide step-by-step guidance to clients for navigating digital platforms and completing online applications.
  • Address Digital and Accessibility Barriers
    Implement strategies to overcome digital exclusion, including using assistive technologies and translation tools to serve diverse client needs.
  • Maintain Client Security and Professionalism
    Learn best practices for secure account management, privacy protection, and setting professional boundaries while assisting clients.
  • Build Confidence in Your Role
    Equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to confidently support clients, ensuring they receive the assistance they need.
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Course Curriculum

Introduction: Public Benefits Enrollment Overview

Welcome and Course Goals

Glossary of Terms & Acronyms

Laying the Groundwork: Public Benefits Matter

Introduction to Public Benefits in the U.S.

A Brief History of U.S. Public Benefits

Socioeconomic Needs and Poverty Statistics

Real Talk: Public Benefits

An Overview of the Key Public Benefits Programs

The Faces of Public Benefits

Knowledge Check

Identifying Common Client Barriers

Barriers to Benefits: Setting the Stage

Poverty’s Effects on Psychology

Welfare Stigma and Fear

Digital Exclusion and Tech Barriers

You Try: Assessing Digital Skills

Administrative Burdens

You Try: Procedural and Documentation Barriers

Language and Accessibility

Privacy, Boundaries, and Trust Barriers

Knowledge Check: Barriers

Understanding Program Eligibility and Application Processes

Section Overview

Eligibility & Enrollment: An Overview

Immigrants and Public Benefits

You Try: Navigating Program Eligibility

Methods of Providing Support

Pre-Qualification Screening for Public Benefits

Explore the Benefits Enrollment Field Guide

Guiding Clients Through Online Enrollment Portals

Section Overview

Anticipating Common Digital Challenges

Task Support vs. Skill Building

You Try: Task Support or Skill Building?

Respecting Boundaries and Client Privacy

You Try: Boundaries and Client Privacy

Security, Privacy & Safety Essentials

Skill-Building Resources

Practice: What Would You Do?

Advanced Support Techniques

Section Overview

Overcoming Digital Access Challenges

A Trauma-Informed Approach

You Try: Supporting Clients with Disabilities

Language Barriers

You Try: Language Barriers

You Try: Navigating Denials, Appeals, and Alternatives

Maintaining Enrollment and Updating Knowledge

Section Overview

Mastering the Maze: Staying Ahead in Public Benefits Navigation

You Try: Helping Clients to Maintain Enrollment

Dig Deeper: Your State’s Online Applications

Food Assistance Programs

Section Overview

SNAP

WIC

National School Lunch Program

Additional Food Assistance Programs

Healthcare Programs

Section Overview

Medicaid

Medicare

CHIP

Additional Programs

Cash Assistance Programs

Section Overview

TANF

SSI

General Assistance (GA)

Housing Assistance Programs

Section Overview

Section 8

Public Housing

Other Housing Resources

Additional Programs

Technology Access

Unemployment Insurance

LIHEAP

Locating Further Information and Resources

Self-Care Strategies for Benefits Navigators

Resources and References

Wrapping Up

Post-Training Survey

OR Select a Package Built for Specific Industries

You’ll love how we’ve bundled our most popular online courses and resources into industry-specific packages designed to help your organization build staff capacity to teach digital skills and bridge the digital divide in your industry and community.

Aging Services

Empower your team to help older adults stay connected, independent, and digitally confident.
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Purchase

Libraries

Strengthen your library’s role as a trusted hub for digital learning and community connection. 
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Purchase

Healthcare

Healthcare

Equip your healthcare staff to support patients who face barriers to accessing care online.
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Purchase

You’ll save 35% by purchasing a full package instead of buying courses individually. Each package includes core training in Digital Navigation, Teaching Digital Skills, and Internet Safety, along with a ready-to-use digital literacy curriculum, program templates, and access to our practitioner community forum. Advanced Packages include additional device curricula and your choice of three more courses to deepen your impact.

Online Courses

Benefits That Matter to You!

  • Expert-Led

  • Field-Tested

  • Designed for Adult Learners

  • Empower Trainers

  • Multiply Impact

  • Customization Without Reinvention

Trusted by Program Builders Nationwide

Supported over 1,730 trainers and 13,000 learners since 2015

trainerLIFT Impact Since 2020

173

PARTNERS

1759

TRAINERS TRAINED

8676

TRAINING HOURS

Digital Equity 101

What it is, Why it Matters, and How to Achieve It
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