A search was carried out to examine the topic of digital inclusion. The search looks at; the barriers to digital inclusion, who is most at risk of exclusion, recommendations for how to reduce exclusion and be more digitally inclusive, and a list of case study examples of projects to support digital inclusion.
The full search report is available to download below.
Barriers to digital inclusion
- Access – internet, equipment, affordability
- Confidence – ability, safety/security
- Online skills – poor skills
- Motivation – don’t see relevance/need
- Design – accessibility, usability, complexity
- Awareness – services, products and support
- Language – not in Welsh/native language
Risk of digital exclusion
Some sections of the population are more likely to be digitally excluded these were identified as:
- Older people
- Lower income/unemployed/benefits recipient
- Social housing
- People with disabilities
- Fewer educational qualifications
- Living in rural area
- Homeless
- First language not English
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- No children in the household
- Confidence in general literacy
Recommendations to increase inclusion and reduce exclusion
- Still need alternative avenues (phone, face to face, assisted support)
- Digital skills training (champions, intergenerational support, peer support, workforce)
- Assistive technologies, accessibility built in
- Provide access (Wi-Fi, devices)
- Raise awareness of support
- Co-design
- Collaboration with other organisations (embed in local services/support)
- Encourage innovative use of technology
- Identify and target those with greatest need/interest
- Person-centred, small goals and ongoing support (understand barriers)
- Generate interest/find purpose and train to do these things
- Include family/carers for those with learning disabilities
- Build confidence and trust
- Recognise importance of digital inclusion
- User friendly, easy to use, accessible design
- Connectivity rural areas
- Targeted support for hard to reach; Welsh speakers, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+
- Transport to access support
- Older people may prefer dedicated sessions
Digital inclusion case studies
Specific support for those with disabilities:
- Learning Disability Wales – developed new course for those with learning disabilities (LD)
- Opening the door to possibilities – combined social connection with digital skills for people with intellectual disabilities
- Digital Lifeline Fund – free devices, data and digital support to those with LD
- ORBIT – assisted living scheme included digital skills training/support
- Mencap Connected Living – technology to enhance independence for people with LD
- Clevercogs – designed to increase digital participation in adults receiving care packages
Specific support for older people:
- Digital Inclusion Ambassadors – supporting older people to develop skills
- Digital Buddies Salford – younger volunteers train older people
- Sunderland Age UK – needs led digital skills programme for older people
- One Digital Age UK – digital champions supporting digital skills in older people
- Ageing Better Isle of Wight – upskilling over 50s to use devices and access the internet
Specific support for workforce:
- Digital Boomers – improving skills of health and social care workforce
Specific support in mental health:
- Community Connector – Mind Salford embed digital elements into mental health sessions
- NAViGO – Digital inclusion needs assessment and dashboard (mental health and social care)
- Community Connector – linked with Mind Aberystwyth to gain interest; Side by Side Cymru, peer support initiative, and My Generation, over 50s resilience and wellbeing programme
Other case study examples:
- Get the Vale Online – a collaboration between local organisations
- 100% Digital Leeds – cross-sector working to deliver funding programmes and support
- Creating Enterprise – Digital champions programme embracing diversity
- TechMates Wigan – basic one-to-one support by phone, video call or in person
- Digital Support Service – individual or group sessions at people’s home or public settings
- Digital Health Hubs – community-based digital and health literacy, and wellbeing included; ASHA (asylum seekers/refugees), Seaview (homeless and mental health), and Leeds Library Service (dementia)
- Gaunless Gateway Big Local – identified single men in shared accommodation often had no internet, so focused support on local Wi-Fi hot spots
- Big Local Central Jarrow – provided devices/internet but issues with costs and scalability
Please note these search results are not exhaustive but provide an overview of the topic areas.
