IT IS SIMPLE, a woman-owned small business based in Arlington, Va., teaches technology to baby boomers and senior adults. The company, which was co-founded by Mercedeh Kordestani and Stephanie L. Brown, launched in January, has seen a steady need for its services and is considering expanding training options into other spheres.
"Our motto is that technology should be simple and fun," explains Kordestani. The classes she and Brown hold cover a variety of topics, from the basics of getting an ISP and operating a computer or a smartphone, to more advanced topics about using email, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
"Email is one of our most popular topics," Brown says. "Learning how to add attachments and how to not 'reply-all'…. Email is hard for people." Particularly, Brown explains, email and computers are difficult for people who didn't grow up using them or didn't have to use them on a regular basis. "[Technology] can be daunting if you haven't used it for your job."
Brown and Kordestani, who both have backgrounds in training adults, hold classes in retirement communities and also offer customized one-on-one training sessions. Kordestani says that she helps seniors figure out how to use hand-me-down technology from their children, and advises them about which smartphone to purchase. "I can help with what kind of smartphone works with a hearing aid, or has speak to text," she says.
IT IS SIMPLE charges $50/hour for a one-on-one training session; rates are different for classes. The pair are exploring options for hosting classes outside of retirement communities and say they are open to teaching classes on more advanced topics if there is demand. "If there is an audience that wants advanced [courses], like WordPress," Brown explains, "we can accommodate that."
Once seniors get over their fear of technology, Kordestani explains, "they enjoy it and they get into it."
Brown agrees. "Skype is very exciting. Seniors get to see their friends and their grandchildren—and it's free."
Ultimately, Brown believes that seniors need to have a working familiarity with the tools of the digital age. "We're truly moving to a tech-laden society," she says. "The Social Security Administration has contacted people to go online and set up accounts to receive their retirement information [digitally]. We're moving forward into a paperless society."
Kordestani agrees and worries about other communities, such as the Hispanic community, that might not be connected. "The Hispanic community isn't being served," she says. "That might be our next step."