Teaching Technology by Divya

Teaching Technology by Divya - June 2026 Scholarship Essay

“Jane” called every Monday morning, frustrated after being unable to get in contact with Social Security. As a Congressional Intern, I helped support her casework so she could regain access to her payments. Through supporting constituent casework, I have come to learn that independent living for elderly individuals is largely intertwined with bureaucratic challenges that are difficult for people to navigate alone. Like Jane, many elderly constituents have been struggling with interacting with AI upgrades and are unable to access their information and perform tasks. For instance, I assisted a long-term care facility with obtaining a caseworker and completing the necessary documentation to expedite Social Security paperwork corrections for 50 elderly patients, helping prevent their potential eviction. These experiences have inspired my desire to create community tech support hubs.

As we advance in technology, we do not often think about the learning curve associated with using new features. For many people, especially elderly constituents who did not grow up with devices, it is increasingly difficult to switch to new systems. This gap in accessing technology is only exacerbating as brick-and-mortar systems are replaced by their more “efficient” counterparts. I would design weekly drop-in hours at senior homes, assisted living facilities, and libraries so that community members would be able to learn how to access these systems. By hosting in these free, accessible spaces, I help improve barriers to transportation and paywalls. I want these hours to be run by a mix of high school student volunteers and community leaders. In doing so, I help create opportunities for community engagement and volunteerism while still offering support with specific information. Rather than tech support members completing the task, these educational office hours would restore autonomy and empower residents to learn how to troubleshoot. This ultimately helps residents feel more confident in supporting themselves. My tech hours would double as opportunities for companionship for residents without support systems. Technology will continue to expand; it is our moral responsibility to make sure no one gets left behind.