WOSU Public Media in Central Ohio launched a campaign to ready the elderly community in Ohio about the switch to digital television.

The collaborative project between WOSU Public Media, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA), LifeCare Alliance and other local non-profits organizations includes a number of outreach initiatives.

For example, WOSU is asking Central Ohio residents who have no need of the digital-to-analog set-top converter box coupons to go ahead and request those coupons from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. WOSU will collect unused coupons and then purchase converter boxes from local electronic companies that will be distributed to the elderly community through COAAA and LifeCare Alliance.

The goal, according to WOSU, is to get these converter boxes into the hands of one of the most at-risk populations who may not be able to secure the boxes themselves.

WOSU will also use its media services (WOSU TV, AM, FM and wosu.org) to provide needed information about the digital transition through a number of other partnerships, including one with local libraries.

For information on these efforts visit www.wosu.org