WASHINGTON, DC—AARP announced today that it is expanding its 2015 AARP TEK Program to include eight new cities, eleven locations overall, featuring free, live workshops aimed at helping close the technology gap among people 50-plus. Presented with the support of AT&T, these face to face workshops enable people to leverage personal technology to enrich their lives.

AARP TEK (which stands for Technology Education and Knowledge) launched last year. It includes hands-on workshops in select cities as well as the AARP TEK Academy which is a free, easy-to-use online classroom. Both are open to anyone, including but not limited to AARP members, and are designed to allow Americans to connect with people and passions in their lives using technology.

“We are thrilled to be able to expand the reach of our AARP TEK program by holding workshops in cities across the United States and educating even more people who want to use technology to stay connected and access the things that are important to them, safely,” said AARP Interim Vice President Anne Jacoby. “With AT&T’s support, we are increasing the number of people benefitting on a professional and personal level from these hands-on workshops and are going to several new locations we previously weren’t able to include in this valuable training.”

“These mobile technology workshops offer a wonderful opportunity for us to support the mutual goals of AARP TEK and AT&T’s Digital You program to help increase digital literacy and online safety,” said Andrea Brands, AT&T Director of Consumer Safety and Education. “Through our relationship with AARP TEK, AT&T is building on our rich history of technology and Internet education for thousands of older adults, helping provide them with tools and know-how to enhance their quality of life and stay connected to family and friends. When you watch a grandparent text a selfie to a grandchild, you see how transformative mobile technology can be.”

   The AT&T sponsored AARP TEK workshops, which launch November 2 in Aurora, IL, include:

• Aurora, IL
• Charlotte, NC
• Columbus, OH
• Des Moines, IA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Mobile, AL
• Phoenix, AZ
• Santa Rosa, CA
• San Diego, CA
• St. Petersburg, FL
• The Villages, FL

Research supports that most people 50-plus already use personal technology in their everyday lives. According to the AARP Attitude, Trend, & Opinion Monitor, July 2014:

• Three quarters (76%) of adults 50-plus own some type of computing device (desktop, laptop, e-reader, or tablet).
• Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) adults 50-plus own some type of mobile device. While the majority still owns a standard feature phone, 45% own a smartphone.
• Social networking is used by about two-thirds of adults (65%), which is a large jump from 2013.

AARP TEK workshops are aimed at empowering people 50-plus to increase their digital literacy by teaching them the skills and giving them the confidence they need to use technology that is transforming the way information is found, business is conducted and people connect with one another.

Launched in August, AARP TEK Academy is a free, easy-to-use online classroom designed to help 50-plus Americans get the most out of technology to connect with family and friends, explore employment opportunities, access health information, enjoy entertainment and more.

These new AARP TEK workshops join a roster of existing sessions in more than 30 cities across the United States. For more information on AARP TEK or for more details on scheduled workshops, visit the Events tab on aarptek.org.

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About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.​

CONTACT:
Tara Dunion, 202-434-2550, media@aarp.org, @AARPMedia