One year of #ionline: how A1 volunteers make mobile technologies accessible for everyone

In October 2020 based on A1 initiative there was a digital voluntary movement #ionline created for everyone who would like to study or teach mobile technologies. Throughout the year about 1000 volunteers joined the movement while the project itself turned from a useful platform for internet users into a large scale educational platform.

Specifically for project volunteers and social workers whom the fosterlings address with the questions about mobile technologies, A1 and UNFPA in Belarus organized #ionline training. There were six classes in digital literacy organized from July to September across all Belarusian regions. About 100 visitors attended the classes and over 500 completed a training through online broadcasting and recordings of the training.

“#ionline movement helped us in demonstration of modern technologies and how they make our life more comfortable, what opportunities they open up for every person irrespective of the age, profession or place of residence. What is important is that our team mates held #ionlone training together with UNFPA experts and based on their professional experience explained how to communicate with internet beginners”, - noted Nikolai Bredelev, head of A1 PR and ESG.

The training is a part of a joint project between A1 and UNFPA dedicated to an upgrade of digital literacy among elderly people realized within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement signed between both organizations. Digital literacy classes are based on #ionline guide that outlines useful tips for unexperienced users: how to turn mobile data on, download apps, register in social networks, pay for shopping online or utility bills, make appointments at the doctor, search favorite films, etc. Elderly people may free of charge obtain a hard copy of the guide at A1 centers while e-copy is available for everyone here.

 

“The last year demonstrated effectiveness we are able to gain without losing connection to each other just staying online. That is why we are grateful to A1 for the opportunity to unite our efforts and help in attaining knowledge in the area of mobile technologies for those who very much need it. Having trained our volunteers and social workers in specifics of teaching elderly people, ethics of interaction and many other psychological aspects, we are confident about achievement of our common goals”, - commented UNFPA in Belarus.

Any person and subscriber of any operator who is willing to help his/her close ones to get a grip of mobile technologies can become an #ionline volunteer. Registration form for joining the movement is on ionline.a1.by.

It is important that #ionline portal is specifically adapted for the visionless and visionally impaired users in order to get as many people as possible to join the project in a comfortable for them format. This version operates with a standard set of hot keys and has additional settings for turning any images on and off, change the size and type of the font, color of the pages as well as intervals between lines and letters. Everything what is happening on the screen is automatically commented in voice messages.

Besides, in aid of volunteers there is a telegram channel «ЯнОнлайн» created to offer tips how to explain internet beginners what to do in basic words on behalf of a 27-year old guy. For more details about digital voluntary movement #ionline visit official page of the project.