ABOUT US

Funders    Board of Directors    Partners

Mission

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages, trains and supports older adults in using technology to improve their quality of life and enhance their social and civic engagement.

Digital technologies—computers, digital cameras, mobile phones, the Internet—have become basic tools for daily living. Unfortunately, many older adults are reluctant to use them, resulting in increased isolation, limited access to information, higher costs for goods and services, and fewer opportunities for public and civic participation.

OATS is working to help bridge the technology gap for older adults using a strategy to:

• engage older adults in learning about digital devices and how they can improve their lives
• train them to use computers and other technology tools in a relaxed, senior-friendly environment
• support seniors in using technology to connect to family and friends, improve health care, get needed services, earn and manage money, and enjoy a higher standard of living.

Since 2004, OATS has offered programs at senior centers, community technology labs, and other locations around the city. In just two years, the organization has taught 491 free classes and special seminars to over 1170 seniors at nearly 20 locations across New York City.

Thomas Kamber, Executive Director

tkamber@oatsny.org

Thomas Kamber is a social entrepreneur and nonprofit executive with more than 20 years experience in nonprofit administration, public policy, politics and communications. He is the founding executive director of OATS and has raised over one million dollars since 2004 to support technology training for older adults, growing the organization’s programs to 26 locations across the five boroughs and providing computer training to over 2700 low-income senior citizens.  His work at OATS has been featured in The New York Times, NBC Channel 4 News, The New York Daily News, and NY1, and is the subject of Generation Blend: Managing Across the Digital Age Gap.

Prior to launching OATS, Dr. Kamber founded new program sites for One Economy Corporation and Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, and served in leadership roles in political campaigns at the local, state and national level.  He is also a co-founder and board member of the nonprofit Afro-Latin Jazz Alliance.  In the private sector, he served as a senior brand strategist for D’Arcy advertising, where he helped design and implement communications strategy for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, a leading global technology services corporation.  Dr. Kamber teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on social entrepreneurship and advocacy at Columbia University and the New School University, and has published widely on public policy topics.  He has a B.A. from Columbia College and a Ph.D. from the City University of New York. 

Dee Derr-Daugherty, Director of Programs

ddaugherty@oatsny.org

Dee has worked directly with innovative technology education programs for over eight years.   His first project with OATS in 2005 was designing and managing the Medicare Part D Peer Counseling Program, which educated 300 seniors about their prescription drug choices and directly led over 100 participants to save a combined $19,000.  Now as the Director of Programs, he oversees trainings, operations, and finance.  Before OATS, Dee served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Austin, Texas placing technology coordinators in low-income schools throughout the nation, directed technology camps at Princeton and UCLA with iD Tech Camps, and has created and taught documentary production, video game design and multimedia courses to youth and adults.  He holds a B.A. in Integrative Arts from Penn State University and is pursuing an MBA.

Renee Martinez, Manager, Digital Communities

rmartinez@oatsny.org

Renee first came to OATS as an intern in March 2006.  Proving her capabilities early, she quickly became full-time growing her position into Manger of Digital Communities. As Editor of SeniorPlanet.org, New York's only digital community for older adults, Renee develops the infrastructure for the site’s three main sections, manages editors and trainers, and oversees marketing and publicity of the site.  Renee has also written curriculum for the OATS Web Content Creation for Older Adults Course and teaches at the Prospect Park YMCA.  Before coming to OATS, Renee worked with Los Angeles County, doing operations and community event planning for The Department of Parks and Recreation.  Prior to that, she organized and led over 200 retreats serving nearly 8,000 youth around the nation for NET Ministries, a group dedicated to youth ministry and community development.

Rob Finkenthal, Manager, Education Development

rfinkenthal@oatsny.org

Robert Finkenthal has served adult learners through curriculum development, program design, and classroom training for over fifteen years.   As Manager of Education Development for OATS, Robert develops curriculum for use in teaching seniors basic and advanced computer skills, designs new programs to engage seniors, and conducts technology training sessions.  Prior to joining OATS, he managed a master's program in East Asian regional studies at Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute, developed several program series for master's and doctoral students, and administered a range of scholarships for research and academic year study.  Robert also administered grants for education and nonprofit programs between the United States and Japan for the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, taught English as a Second Language to adult students in Japan, and provided a range of services for ESL students at Fordham University.  Robert holds a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in English from Binghamton University.

Barbara J. Tawil, Manager, Program Development 

bjtawil@oatsny.org

Barbara J. Tawil joined OATS after working as an administrator in the nonprofit world of social services for older adults for more than a decade.  As a senior center director and program manager, Barbara combined her passion with her skills to educate, motivate, and enhance the lives of hundreds of seniors throughout Queens through creative programming, counseling and advocacy.  A Licensed Master Social Worker, Barbara holds both bachelor's and master's degrees from the Adelphi University School of Social Work where she also served as co-chair of the social work alumni association creating networking, leadership and continuing education opportunities for fellow alum.  When not spending time with her family, Barbara volunteers at the Rockaway Theatre Company where she has performed for the past six years. 

Howard Accurso, Trainer

haccurso@oatsny.org

Howard Accurso has taught and coached a number of OATS classes, including the basic computing for older adults course at the JASA site on East 5th Street and the multilingual version of the course at the USCC / Chinatown YMCA. He is currently working with the Harlem Chapter of AARP to bring a course online at that site. Recently retired after working 25 years as a technologist on Wall Street, he applies a senior citizen's perspective to the course and to the needs of the students. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1966, received a BA from CCNY in 1970 and a MPhil Musicology from CUNY Graduate Center in 1979. A board member of the Riverdale Choral Society, he now has the time to combine his two great loves: computers and music.