MCOA Digital Equity & Senior Planet Readiness Survey

Sep 14, 2026 | News

Building Digital Skills, Connections and Opportunities for Older Adults Across Massachusetts

Estimated completion time: 15-20 minutes

Introduction
MCOA is exploring the opportunity to bring Senior Planet programming to more Councils on Aging and senior centers across Massachusetts.

This survey will help MCOA understand the readiness and needs of local COAs, including available technology and classroom space, staff and volunteer capacity, community partnerships, and the types of programs that would be most valuable to older adults.

Your responses will help us develop a regional approach to implementation, identify potential pilot and hub locations, and pursue resources to address technology and training gaps.

 

About Your COA

Every community is different. This information will help us understand the communities interested in participating and identify where Senior Planet programming could have the greatest impact.
Name of the Person completing this survey
Is your COA already providing technology classes/support?

Classroom & Technology Infrastructure

Successful digital literacy programming requires an accessible space and basic technology infrastructure. We want to understand what COAs already have in place and where additional resources could make a difference.
What types of spaces are available at your COA for technology programming? (Select all that apply)
Approximately how many participants could your largest appropriate classroom accommodate?
Approximately how many participant devices (Desktops,iPads, Chromebook, Laptops, tablets) are available?
What technology is currently available? (Select all that apply)
What technology or classroom improvements would be most helpful?
Would your COA be interested in assistance identifying funding for devices or classroom improvements?

Staff Training & Professional Development

A sustainable digital equity program can build capacity within the COA itself. Senior Planet instructor training could provide valuable professional development while helping COAs develop staff who can support digital literacy programming and volunteers.
Would your COA be interested in having staff become Senior Planet trained instructors?
Which staff positions would benefit most from this training?
What would be the value of having a trained Senior Planet instructor at your COA?
How many staff members or volunteers might participate in instructor training?

Volunteer Capacity & Community Partnerships

MCOA envisions a strong volunteer component, including younger retirees, retired professionals, college students, and community members who want to share their skills. We also want to identify the organizations already connected to local COAs that could help build this volunteer pipeline.
Would your COA be interested in using trained volunteers to teach or support Senior Planet classes?
What volunteer groups could you potentially recruit from? (Select all that apply)
Please list other volunteer sources
Are there colleges or universities in your area that could be potential partners?
Please let us know what colleges/universities that are in your area
Approximately how many potential volunteers could your COA recruit?
Would your COA be interested in helping develop a regional volunteer network?

Senior Planet Program Interests

Senior Planet offers a broad range of programming. We want to understand which topics would be most relevant to the older adults in your community, from foundational technology skills to health, financial security, social connection, creativity, and emerging technology.
Which Foundational Digital Skills programs would interest your participants? (Select all that apply)
Which Digital Safety programs would interest your participants?
Which Health & Wellness programs would interest your participants?
Which Financial Security programs would interest your participants?
Which Social Engagement programs would interest your participants?
Which Creative Expression programs would interest your participants?
Which Civic Participation programs would interest your participants?
Which Workforce & Economic Opportunity programs would interest your participants?
Which Emerging Technology programs would interest your participants?

If your COA could initially offer only THREE Senior Planet programs, which would you prioritize?

Program Format & Scheduling

Understanding how your community prefers to learn will help MCOA and participating COAs select the right mix of Senior Planet lectures, workshops, and longer courses.
Understanding how your community prefers to learn will help MCOA and participating COAs select the right mix of Senior Planet lectures, workshops, and longer courses.
What class length works best?
What time of day works best?
Which days work best?

Regional Hubs & Capacity Building

MCOA is considering a regional hub model that would provide training, volunteer recruitment, technical assistance, and peer support. Regional hubs could help ensure that communities across the Commonwealth have access to resources while allowing the program to adapt to local needs.
Would your COA be interested in becoming a Regional Digital Equity Hub?

Funding & Support Needs

MCOA wants to help COAs overcome barriers to participation and identify resources that can support sustainable digital equity programming.
What support would your COA find most valuable? (Select all that apply)
Has your COA previously received funding for technology, digital equity, or equipment?
What barriers could prevent your COA from offering Senior Planet programming? (Select all that apply)

Digital Literacy Needs

Technology changes quickly, and local COAs hear directly from older adults about the challenges they are experiencing. This information will help MCOA ensure programming responds to real community needs.
Please describe specific requests, frustrations, barriers, or technology topics you believe should be addressed.
Please rank the following digital literacy skills based on the needs of your community.
1 = Highest Priority
  1. Digital Responsibility: staying safe and acting appropriately online
  2. Digital Productivity: using tools to organize, protect, and share information
  3. Digital Information Literacy: finding and evaluating information
  4. Digital Collaboration: communicating and working with others online
  5. Digital Creativity: creating and sharing digital content
  6. Adaptability to Technological Changes: learning and adapting to new technology

Interest & Next Steps

MCOA is interested in identifying COAs that may be ready to participate in the initial phase of the project while also understanding what support other communities need to become ready.
Would your COA be interested in participating in an initial Senior Planet pilot?
Would you be interested in receiving additional information as the MCOA Senior Planet initiative develops?