ASCCA, the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association is a national body representing seniors and technology. Membership is open to any organisation promoting access to information technology by older people. ASCCA is represented in every state and territory of Australia, including at least one Apple User Group.

ASCCA exists to support seniors enjoy information technology – to become computer literate at their own pace, in a non-threatening environment and to have fun whilst doing so.

They undertake various projects to support IT for seniors, and organises seminars, training sessions (for club volunteers), workshops and similar activities. The main objectives of the association are to:

• Assist communities establish computer clubs for seniors wherever a need exists
• Support and assist existing clubs grow and remain viable
• Encourage innovation and best practice amongst seniors computer groups
• Develop resources – such as training manuals – for use by seniors computer clubs
• Facilitate networking between clubs, other seniors organisations and the corporate sector, and
• Liaise with all levels of government, regarding policy issues affecting information communication technology and seniors

ASCCA welcomes enquiries from existing computer clubs, computer groups within seniors organisations and from communities which are considering promoting computer training for seniors.

Benefits of joining ASCCA include;

• Member clubs can purchase for just 4% of the retail price, up to 50 copies, of 6 Microsoft products over a period of 2 years.
• Discounts off a wide variety of software, hardware and training materials
• Access for your members to participate in the various ASCCA competitions held each year
• Ability to attend various conferences and seminars conducted by ASCCA each year
• Monthly newsletter, distributed to leaders of member clubs, that contains news and articles that can be reprinted in your own newsletters

Membership to ASCCA is open to all Computer Clubs for Seniors, Organizations with a membership of seniors and Organizations/Companies that recognise the value of computer technology for seniors, with membership costing $110 (including GST) per financial year. If your club joins after June, a pro-rata rate will be calculated for the first year. Note: Membership to ASCCA is not available to individuals.

There is a wealth of information and resources to be found over at the ASCCA website that any User Group can benefit from, so be sure to check it out .

And if your User Group has any portion of your membership in the ‘Seniors’ demographic, seriously consider havin your User Group join ASCCA so you can take advantage of all the benefits they can offer.