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You are here: Home / Blog / Digital Inclusion

Digital Inclusion

28/03/2023

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.

Digital inclusion – Full search report 22.03.2023 PDF

Related pages

Literature searches and evidence summaries

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Digital, digitally, elder, elderly, electronic, electronically, electronics, exclusion, geriatric, inclusion, OAP, Older Person, Online, pensioner, retired, retiree, senior, virtual, virtually

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