EBay closes divide for seniors

The U.S. Commerce Department is throwing its support behind an initiative

by online trading company eBay Inc. to give senior citizens better access

to technology and education.

Under the new program, eBay pledges to train more than 1 million senior

citizens to use computers.

The company also will provide $1 million to SeniorNet, a nonprofit organization

based in San Francisco that aims to educate people age 50 and older about

technology. It also will fund the creation of 10 new SeniorNet training

centers nationwide.

Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta is joining eBay chief executive officer

Ann Wrixon to unveil eBay's Digital Opportunity Program for Seniors today

in Miami.