AARP represents 150,000 members in rural Oklahoma- making them one of the leading groups that represent the non metro areas of the state- so says State Director Sean Voskuhl. Oklahoma Farm Report’s Ron Hays and Voskuhl talked at the 2023 National Association of Farm Broadcasting about the various areas that AARP advocates for older Oklahomans- including helping them take full advantage of what Voskuhl calls a “generational investment in high speed internet” and working with OSU Extension and rural libraries to help citizens take advantage of broadband when it comes to their homes and communities.
He tells Hays “when people get high speed internet- they need to know how to use that technology and use those resources and stay connected.” One way to make that a reality is a program that AARP is partnering with OSU Extension and Libraries on called the Digital Navigator Program that “will teach digital literacy skills to individuals that need it because if we have the high speed internet- we need to know how to use it and use that technology so we can stay connected and prevent isolationism- helping people to connect with their jobs and families.”
AARP has been a champion in helping spread the news on the federal government subsidy program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)– which can offer help in paying for your high speed internet from local providers.
Voskuhl also talked about AARP’s Community Challenge Grants that can help rural communities in a variety of ways- including in helping maintain infrastructure, supporting telehealth and more. The next round of these grants will be unveiled in early 2024.
Hays and Voskuhl also discussed the importance of social security to rural areas of the state and the future viability of the program. Listen to their full conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR under the picture above.
Learn more about AARP in Oklahoma by clicking here for their website.
