10 FAQs about creating accessible digital content

Creating accessible digital content is essential to ensure that your content is inclusive and can be accessed by individuals with disabilities.

Here are 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about creating accessible digital content:

Man sitting at desk with a couple of laptops1. What is accessible digital content?

Accessible digital content refers to content that is designed and formatted in a way that allows disabled people to perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with content effectively. This includes content like websites, documents, videos, and images.

2. Why is accessible digital content important?

Accessible content ensures that everyone, including disabled people, can access and benefit from your digital materials. It promotes inclusivity, compliance with legal requirements, and improves user experience for all. Read our free factsheet about creating accessible documents to learn about the basics to remember for creating and editing documents.

3. What are some common disabilities that accessible content addresses?

Accessible content accommodates various disabilities, including visual impairments d/Deafness, limited mobility and cognitive impairments such as dyslexia.

4. How can I make my website accessible?

To make your website accessible, some of the basic things to do include providing alt text for images, using semantic HTML, ensuring keyboard navigation is possible, and offering text alternatives for multimedia content. Work to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Speak to our experts if you're looking for support to ensure your site is accessible.

5. What are the key principles of web accessibility (WCAG)?

The WCAG guidelines are based on four main principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust (POUR). These principles help ensure that web content is accessible to a wide range of users.

Interested in digital accessibility? Share your opinion via our Attitudes to Digital Accessibility 2023 survey and help make the world a more accessible place.

Group of people in workplace setting with one person holding up their hand to ask a question6. How can I create accessible documents, such as PDFs?

Creating accessible documents involves using proper headings, alternative text for images, accessible tables, and ensuring a logical reading order. Popular document authoring tools often provide accessibility features. Get expert training about PDF accessibility and accessible documents.

If you're looking to share accessibility knowledge across your organisation, have you thought about eLearning? Get advice about videos, PDFs, images, Word documents, PowerPoint, emails, spreadsheets and more.

7. Are there tools or software to help check for accessibility?

Yes, there are various accessibility evaluation tools and software available. These tools can automatically test web pages, documents, and multimedia for accessibility issues and provide guidance on how to fix them. Find out how to do your own accessibility testing.

8. What is captioning, and why is it important for video content?

Captioning involves adding text descriptions of spoken content in videos. It is commonly used by people with hearing impairments and provides additional benefits for other users too, including improved comprehension, language learning, and searchability. Learn how to create accessible videos.

9. How can I make social media content accessible?

Some ways to make social media content accessible are to use descriptive image alt text, write accessible captions, provide accessible links, and use inclusive language. Familiarise yourself with each platform's accessibility features and avoid using tools or functionality that don't offer an accessible experience.

Watch our free webinar recording of How to do accessible social media:

Stay up to date with the latest social media trends and accessibility via our online and on-demand training course: Accessible Social Media.

10. Is accessibility required by law?

Yes, in many countries, accessibility is mandated by law. For example, in the UK we have the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 (PSBAR).

In the United States, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require federal agencies and certain private businesses to provide accessible digital content. Laws and regulations vary by location. Learn more about Digital Accessibility Legislation.

Remember that creating accessible digital content is an ongoing process, and staying informed about best practices and guidelines is essential to ensure your content remains inclusive for all users.

Visit our Accessible Content Resources Hub

 

Group of people in meeting room in formal training sceneGreat value: get 10 courses for the price of 8

Save on the year ahead by purchasing 10 accessibility and inclusion training courses for the price of 8, with our bundle deal. 

You have until the end of 2023 to book all 10. You can also download a training brochure to browse what’s available and share with your team. 

Book your training bundle
 

Further resources

AbilityNet Factsheet - September 2023

Ergonomics and Computing

Ergonomics is the study people’s performance and wellbeing in relation to their and working environment. This document provides an introduction to many of the issues you need to consider when setting up a workstation. However, it is not an exhaustive guide and you may need to do some further research using the links provided.

AbilityNet are specialists in using digital technology to help people with disabilities fulfil their potential at work, at home and in education. However, the issues raised here are relevant to any employee with a workstation, and not just disabled people.

It is important that employers understand their legal responsibility to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ to protect their staff from injury and prevent discrimination. This includes adjustments to the workstation.

Learn how assistive technologies can help you and your workforce become more productive - How to use assistive technology at work, in education and at home.

Last updated: September 2023

Ergonomics is the study people’s performance and wellbeing in relation to their and working environment. This document provides an introduction to many of the issues you need to consider when setting up a workstation. However, it is not an exhaustive guide and you may need to do some further research using the links provided. AbilityNet are specialists in using digital technology to help people with disabilities fulfil their potential at work, at home and in education. However, the issues raised here are relevant to any employee with a workstation, and not just disabled people. It is important that employers understand their legal responsibility to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ to protect their staff from injury and prevent discrimination. This includes adjustments to the workstation.

Learn how assistive technologies can help you and your workforce become more productive - How to use assistive technology at work, in education and at home.

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How to make work from home more effective

Working from home can be a great way to improve your productivity and work-life balance, but it can also be challenging to stay focused and motivated. This blog post will discuss some tips on how to make remote working more effective with cost-effective, or even free, software solutions. 

A woman is sitting at a desk. On the desk there is a laptop dispalying a group call. There is also a cat which the woman is petting with one hand.How to Stay Focused When Working from Home

One of the key challenges of remote work is the absence of a traditional office environment. To combat distractions and maintain focus, consider the following strategies:

A graphic of a pencil writing on paperOrganising Notes and Staying Productive

Effective note-taking and organisation are essential for remote work. Consider using Microsoft's built-in tool, OneNote, which allows you to create multiple tabs and notebooks for organising your notes. You can also add timestamps for recurring meetings, making it easy to find relevant information. Alternatively, Google Keep offers to-do lists, quick notes, colour coding, and archive features to declutter your workspace.

Tools to Support Disabled Employees Working from Home

Working from home can present unique challenges for disabled employees, whether related to related to mental health, physical, visual, hearing, or neurodivergent barriers. Here are some tools and strategies to support various needs:

A graphic of 5 people stood in a line. One person is in a wheelchair, one person has a white cane and sunglasses, one person has a prosthetic leg, on person has a prosthetic arm, and one person has a missing limb and is using crutches.

Mental Health

  • Consider using apps like CatchIt, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) app that allows you to record mood diaries and offers exercises and support.
  • The SAM App tracks anxiety-related feelings and provides graphs for tracking over extended periods.
  • Other apps include, MindShift, CombinedMinds, and Clear Fear.

Physical

  • My Computer My Way allows you to customise your computer with features like increasing the mouse pointer size and changing colours to suit your preferences.
  • Assistive Touch can be trained to recognise your touch patterns, preventing accidental touches and providing program locking and other features.
  • Head Control enables control of the cursor using head movements or facial gestures like eyebrow raises, smiles, and sticking out your tongue.
  • Voice Control is now built into most systems, allowing you to control your device entirely using voice commands.

A graphic of a woman sitting in a wheelchair in front of a large screen using a computer. Around her are symbols including a phone, email and heart. Visual

  • Be My Eyes connects visually impaired users with sighted volunteers, helping with tasks like reading captchas and troubleshooting technical issues.
  • Seeing AI leverages machine learning to describe visual surroundings to visually impaired users.
  • Screen readers like JAWS can help enable visually impaired people to independently use a computer with a keyboard, speech, or Braille display. 

Hearing

  • Consider transcription services like Otter (which offers color-coded speakers and other useful features) or built-in options like Microsoft Transcribe and Google Recorder.
  • Tap SOS is a helpful tool for accessing emergency services from home, ensuring your safety.

Neurodivergence and Learning

Text-to-speech tools like TextHelp and Orcam can read text aloud which can be easier to process than written speech.

  • TextHelp also has features that allow you to highlight websites and online content, and will also read this aloud.
  • Orcam is a handheld device that resembles a pen and can be dragged along written text to read this aloud. 

Incorporating these strategies and tools into your remote work routine can enhance your productivity, support your well-being, and ensure an inclusive work environment for all employees. By taking advantage of these resources, you can make working from home not only effective but also a more comfortable and accommodating experience.

Is your current way of working inclusive? 

Our expert workplace consultants can help you take stock of your organisation’s strengths and weaknesses, including current hybrid or remote working practices. They help you understand the impact on disabled employees, identify and prioritise improvements, and create a roadmap for your disability inclusion journey. Get started on your journey today by booking a free 15-minute consultation. 

Further resources

Top three ambient apps to improve focus and help you work

This blog has been updated! Originally published 13/06/2019. Amended 07/09/2023

Apps that deliver low-level ambient or ‘white noise’ can increase creativity, focus, and productivity, according to a study by the Journal of Consumer Research. These apps can combat digital distractions, such as that compulsion to check your smartphone, which we each do on average every 12 minutes, according to Ofcom.

They’re especially helpful for those that have tinnitus, as well as those with Autism and ADHD, who find it difficult to cut out background noise. Whilst this may seem counter-intuitive, the right ambient noise can be used to mask more disruptive general, or constant noise. Bill, who has ADHD, writes in Attitude magazine that “by having something to tune out, I can tune in better to what I am reading or writing.”

From powering through deadlines, to job applications or down time with a good book, we’ve pulled together our favourite apps for helping you focus on what’s important to you:

CoffitivityiPhone showing Coffitivity in use on screen

A love of cool coffee shops is considered a trend in millennial culture, but it turns out there might actually be a scientific reason young heads ducked behind laptops are often found in cafés, beyond a needed caffeine fix. Coffitivity, a free multiplatform app which plays an ambient coffee shop soundtrack, is based on research showing that the familiar buzz of baristas and clatter of coffee mugs distracts you just the right amount “to help you think outside the box.”

To help get those creative juices flowing Coffitivity has a variety of ambient soundtracks to simulate your preferred café environment. These range from Morning Murmur for a “gentle hum that gets the day going” and University Undertones for “the scholarly sounds of a campus café”. We especially enjoy the concept because it brings the benefits of a popular public hub to students who may not have physical access to a coffee shop for many reasons, including health, money or social anxiety. 

Study AmbienceiPhone showing Study Ambience app in use on screen

Study Ambience is perfect for students who prefer relaxing, meditative sounds for focusing the mind. The app is designed to ground its users, categorising its ambiances by the elements Forest, Water, Fire and Rain. The variety of earthy ambiences include cosy crackling fires, lapping waves and quiet breezy night skies.

Used for sleep as well as studying, the calming, soft sounds are designed to reduce stress and enable the over-active student mind to block out external distractions. The interface is striking yet simple, with eye-catching designs accompanying the ambiences to complete the immersive experience. There is also an offline mode for when you need to zone out when you’re on the move. 

NoisiliNoisili app shown on iPhone and Android phone

We recommend Noisili for students who have perhaps struggled to find the perfect productivity app in the past, and require very specific sounds to keep them focused. Free on the web and available to purchase on iOS and android, Noisili enables you to customise your perfect environment by mixing together different earthly sounds, ranging from rain, a train, to a fan and breezy leaves. If you want to get really creative you can start from scratch, mixing white, pink and brown noise too - mix the high and low pitches together to find a completely original frequency for you.

The Noisili interface simulates a simple mix-desk with an array of icons representing different sounds for you to choose from. To select a sound simply click on the icon, and to alter its prominence use the volume bar below it. We love how user-friendly this app is, giving you the option to save and easily access your favourite sound combinations and providing a motivating timer for productivity sessions.  

How My Computer My Way helps disabled people

Visit My Computer My Way to find more information about how to make your device easier to use, and work harder for you.

Learn how to adapt your phone, computer or tablet to meet your needs. You can search on the site for a specific need (e.g. making text larger) or filter the guides based on your symptoms (e.g. hand tremor) or condition (e.g. dyslexia). My Computer My Way can also provide guides on how to use background sounds to help you focus on your specific device. 

How else can AbilityNet help?

Older people invited to improve their digital skills over a cup of tea

AbilityNet in partnership with BT GroupMore and more everyday activities, such as booking a doctor’s appointment, shopping, banking, and paying bills, are becoming more reliant on the Internet. 

This raises the concern that some older people may be missing out due to a lack of confidence with digital devices or having limited or no access to the Internet. 

As one of the ways AbilityNet and BT Group are working together to address the digital divide, AbilityNet will be supporting BT Group's BT Tea Rooms, free sessions for older people to improve their digital skills over a cup of tea.

Where are the BT Tea Room sessions being held? 

Two older people sitting together in front of a laptop, enjoying a pot of tea.The free sessions are being held in Birmingham, Glasgow, and Bournemouth. Free food, coffee, and tea will be offered to those joining.

Session times are to be confirmed but they will take place during usual cafe opening hours between 10am - 5.30pm: 

  • Urban Emporium, Birmingham
    30 Church St, Birmingham, B3 2NP
    When: Tuesday 26 September, Wednesday 27 September, and Thursday 28 September

  • Café Fame, Glasgow
    127 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6PE
    When: Wednesday 4 October, Thursday 5 October, and Friday 6 October 
     
  • Frieda's Tea Room, Bournemouth, 
    City Centre, 7 Stafford Rd, Bournemouth BH1 1JH
    When: Tuesday 17 October, Wednesday 18 October, and Thursday 19 October 

If you yourself are interested in attending, or if you know or work with anyone who you think could benefit from individual support with honing their digital skills, please share information about sessions taking place in September and October.

What to expect during the BT Tea Room sessions?

Aimed at people aged 65 or older, the free sessions will offer support on how to use the Internet, stay safe online, and use different digital devices.

Small group of 3 older women having coffee in social setting

The sessions will offer a range of options, from a quick drop-in to ask specific questions to more detailed 30 and 90 minute sessions. 

Attendees will get support with everyday tasks such as online shopping, as well as guidance for using digital devices and how the internet can help older people socialise and stay in touch with friends and family. 

Top tips for boosting your digital skills, with BT Group
Guest speakers from BT Group, Age UK and AbilityNet shared practical ways to help ensure that senior citizens and disabled people are not left behind in the digital revolution.

- Discover resources for step-by-step guidance about using digital devices
- Understand how tech adjustments can help with sight loss, if you are deaf or hard of hearing, or with cognitive, motor or mental health issues
- Pose your questions about tech to the panel

Digital Skills sessions in your community

If you can't make it along to a BT Tea Room event, as part of AbilityNet and BT Group's efforts to improve the digital skills of older and digitally excluded people across the UK, our friendly team of Digital Skills trainers can also provide free digital skills training at home or at a community group setting.

This is currently available to support older people (65+ years) based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and surrounding areas.

How AbilityNet can help you

AbilityNet Factsheet - September 2023

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Computing

RA is an auto-immune disease and quite different from osteoarthritis, the ‘wear-and-tear’ form of arthritis which many people get to some degree, particularly as they get older. People with RA experience disabling pain, stiffness and reduced joint function as well as severe fatigue, which can have a huge impact on quality of life for them and their families.

Given that many people with Rheumatoid Arthritis find it painful to use a standard keyboard and mouse, AbilityNet has produced this factsheet, with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) to cover some of the options that can help make computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones easier to use.

This factsheet is part of AbilityNet’s free Advice and Information service. If you have any questions at all about anything in this factsheet, or any other aspect of assistive technology, please contact us.

Last updated: September 2023

RA is an auto-immune disease and quite different from osteoarthritis, the ‘wear-and-tear’ form of arthritis which many people get to some degree, particularly as they get older. People with RA experience disabling pain, stiffness and reduced joint function as well as severe fatigue, which can have a huge impact on quality of life for them and their families. Given that many people with Rheumatoid Arthritis find it painful to use a standard keyboard and mouse, AbilityNet has produced this factsheet, with the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) to cover some of the options that can help make computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones easier to use. This factsheet is part of AbilityNet’s free Advice and Information service. If you have any questions at all about anything in this factsheet, or any other aspect of assistive technology, please contact us.
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How do you feel about accessibility?

Woman in street holding loudspeaker to her mouth and talking into itHow are your organisation's digital services meeting the needs of disabled people?

AbilityNet's third annual Attitudes to Digital Accessibility Survey is now live for your input, and gathers how attitudes to accessibility are changing in organisations of all shapes and sizes.

Last year, we heard from more than 400 professionals in all types of organisations. Whatever your current role we’d love to hear your thoughts about digital accessibility and inclusion. Your opinion matters!

Your contribution will help identify:

  • How attitudes to digital accessibility are changing across the world
  • Current priorities
  • If organisations are delivering on the promises they are making 

Please complete this short survey to share what you think about digital accessibility and help improve digital accessibility for everyone:

Take the 2023 survey

The survey will be open until midnight, 30 September 2023.

Your opinions matter

From analysing the results of last year's survey, we learned that senior leaders were optimistic about their organisation's digital accessibility, but that more junior managers were less positive about their organisation's committment to digital accessibility.

In addition, the survey identified that the main motivator for digital accessibility is legal requirements, followed by brand values and reputation.

Will this global picture have changed in the past 12 months, given the cost of living crisis and other external factors affecting organisational budgets? Take and share the survey to help us build that picture to make the world a more accessible place.

Share the survey

Please send this survey across your network, to reach as many people as possible.

Just share this link: www.abilitynet.org.uk/Attitudes
  
Thanks in advance for your help. 

When will the results be published?

The results will be shared in a free report and public webinar on 31 October, at 1pm GMT.

In this webinar, guest speakers from IAAP and Open Inclusion will join AbilityNet to share the findings of AbilityNet's third annual global survey into Attitudes to Digital Accessibility. Be the first to learn the results.

Register for the free webinar

Sign up to our enewsletter for news and free resources about digital accessibility.

Related resources

How to make smart energy technology more inclusive

Smart energy technology can help households save money and reduce their carbon footprint by shifting their electricity usage to times when there is more renewable energy on the grid. But not everyone can access or benefit from these products and services, especially those who face barriers such as disability, low income, digital exclusion, or language difficulties.Hands holding and touching a smart meter

In August 2023, UK consumer support charity Citizens Advice published a guide; 'Powering up participation: A guide to making smart energy technology more inclusive' to assist the energy industry in ensuring that everyone - including those groups mentioned above - can take advantage of cleaner, more affordable energy.

In their guide, they share their insights after testing a smart thermostat with people who face such barriers, as well as introducing a new interactive tool that will help the smart energy sector consider the different challenges that consumers may encounter along their journey of using smart energy technology.

Why inclusivity matters

Smart energy technology has the potential to transform how we use and manage energy at home. It can help us to save money, reduce our carbon footprint, and support the transition to a low-carbon energy future.

However, not everyone can access or benefit from these products and services. Some people may face barriers such as:

  • Disability: physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health impairments that may affect how they interact with technology or understand information
  • Low income: financial constraints that may limit their ability to afford or invest in technology or tariffs
  • Digital exclusion: lack of access, skills, or confidence to use digital devices or platforms
  • Language difficulties: limited proficiency in English or preference for other languages that may affect how they communicate or access information

Robert (58, London) is neurodivergent and not confident using technology; “I feel excluded, kind of alone and isolated when it comes to new technology, so I feel like I’m missing the boat”

As well as the very real issue of technologies - such as smart thermostats - not always being accessible or easy to use by these groups, Citizens Advice highlights some of the other barriers that can compound and create further challenges for consumers, such as the lack of:

  • Awareness: not knowing about the existence, benefits, or suitability of smart energy technology
  • Trust: not feeling confident or comfortable with using technology or sharing data
  • Control: not having enough choice, flexibility, or autonomy over how they use energy or technology
  • Support: not receiving adequate or appropriate guidance, assistance, or feedback from providers or intermediaries

These challenges can prevent consumers from participating in energy flexibility, which means they miss out on the opportunities to save money and reduce their carbon footprint. They also mean that the smart energy sector misses out on a large and diverse market of potential customers.

How to design for inclusivity

Citizens Advice conducted usability testing of a smart thermostat with a group of users who faced many of these barriers, in order to understand how they interact with the product, what they liked and disliked, and what difficulties they encountered.

They found that, whilst the product design was generally intuitive and easy to use:

  • Some features were confusing or inaccessible for some users
  • Some users were unsure or sceptical about how it works or how much they could save
  • Some users needed more or different types of guidance, assistance or feedback

As a result, they identified some best practices and recommendations for designing more inclusive and user-friendly products, such as:

  • Using clear and simple language, icons and colours
  • Providing multiple ways of inputting and receiving information
  • Offering flexible and personalised settings and options
  • Clearly explaining how the product works and what it does
  • Giving feedback on performance and savings
  • Providing accessible and tailored support channels

At AbilityNet, we are experts in assisting organisations to create accessible and inclusive digital products that are easy to use by all. We applaud Citizens Advice for their approach to the testing of this product, its documentation and support, and for the clarity of their findings and recommendations. Brilliant work - and we hope that they’ll help the energy industry make more inclusive products.


But Citizens Advice didn’t stop there. They also produced a really useful interactive guide to assist the industry in accessing their recommendations.

An interactive tool to aid inclusive smart energy technology

To help the sector consider the different challenges that consumers may face along their journey of using smart energy technology, Citizens Advice created a new interactive tool for inclusive design. Based on their research findings and existing frameworks of consumer vulnerability and digital inclusion, the tool allows users to:

  • Select one or more barriers that consumers may face
  • See how these barriers can affect different stages of the consumer journey, from awareness to support
  • Explore possible solutions or actions to address these challenges

The tool is intended to be a starting point for discussion and reflection, not a definitive or comprehensive guide. Echoing a key message we also always stress, that they encourage manufacturers and designers to test their assumptions and solutions with actual consumers who face barriers. Testing your products with users with more extreme needs makes for products that are extremely usable for all.

A screenshot of Citizen's Advice Interactive Tool showing a wheel of human silhouettes separated into four sections "Build and understanding, trust and confidence", "Facilitate, informed decisions", "Enable use of smart technology" and "ensure appropriate set up" with a centre mentioning, 3 categories "motivation", "opportunity" and "support".

Here’s to a more inclusive and more affordable future for our energy needs

Whilst smart energy technology may seem like a minor player in the larger picture of digital technology, being able to effectively access affordable energy can literally save lives. So bravo Citizens Advice. We trust that this tool will help the sector to put inclusivity at the heart of designing technology and the consumer journey as a whole.

Let’s hope this is a lightbulb moment for the sector and that ‘Powering up participation’ helps forge a future where no consumer will be left out in the cold.

Further resources

How Apple's watchOS 9 can help you with tech

Watch sitting on edge of laptop, with futuristic red hue in backgroundDid you know you can control your Apple Watch using hand gestures and wrist movements? Apple's watchOS 9 release has unveiled even more sophisticated accessibility options, and here we provide tips about how to access them.

Benefit from a new set of guidance which outlines simple step-by-step instructions for how Apple's watchOS 9 release will transform how you interact with some of your tech.

AbilityNet's My Computer My Way resource contains 31 separate guidance articles about how to boost your Apple Watch functionality with watchOS 9, including:

  • How to change the VoiceOver settings in watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch
  • How to control your iPhone or iPad with your Apple Watch in watchOS 9
  • How to control your Apple Watch with your iPhone in iOS 16
  • How to control your Apple Watch with wrist movements in watchOS 9
  • How to change the settings for AssistiveTouch in watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch
  • How to control you Apple Watch using hand gestures in watchOS 9
  • How to make Siri easier to use in watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch
  • How to use Siri in watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch
  • How to make the touchscreen easier to use on your Apple Watch in watchOS 9

Simply head over to My Computer My Way and search for 'watchOS 9' in the 'Operating system' menu for all the guidance articles to appear:

Screenshot of the My Computer My Way homepage with 'watchOS 9' showing in 'Operating system' field, alongside other categories: Symptom, Condition, Adjustment'.

How My Computer My Way helps disabled people

Visit My Computer My Way to find more information about how to make your device easier to use, and work harder for you.

Learn how to adapt your phone, computer or tablet to meet your needs. You can search on the site for a specific need (e.g. making text larger) or filter the guides based on your symptoms (e.g. hand tremor) or condition (e.g. dyslexia).
 

Visit My Computer My Way

Further resources

Tech4Good Winners using AI to make the world a better place

The 2023 Tech4Good Awards have cast a spotlight on remarkable companies and individuals at the forefront of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for good. 

Free Webinar: How will Artificial Intelligence change accessibility testing? 

Guests from AbilityNet and Deque discussed how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help improve accessibility testing, and much more!

Catch up on the recording 

Two people stand holding prototypes of SmartSocks in front of a Milbotix bannerMilbotix 

Milbotix, an initiative backed by the Alzheimer's Society and the UK Dementia Research Institute, has created a product aimed to intertwine technology with human care. It's creation, SmartSocks, are tailored for those with dementia and communication-related conditions who may not be able to fully express when something is wrong, or may have sensory sensitivities. SmartSocks are worn as normal socks, but they are cleverly fitted out with sensors, tracking early signs of distress and alerting carers when there is increased risk of agitation. Socks are less likely to be removed by patients than current wrist or ankle worn trackers, as they are familiar, which can mean more accurate tracking and monitoring. 

How can Smart Socks transform dementia care? 

Zeke Steer, CEO of Milbotix, shares the story behind Smart Socks, their unique technology, and how they are currently being trialled.

Access the full episode 

C2-Ai LogoC2-Ai 

Winner of the AI For Good Category 2023, C2-Ai utilises Artificial Intelligence to assess the clinical urgency of patients on waiting lists. Using 3,300 metrics across the whole of acute health care, C2-Ai cans for system-wide patterns and trends in avoidable harm. Already at use within multiple NHS trusts, early results are impressive; emergency admissions reduced by 8%, 6,000 hours of surgeon time freed, and bed capacity expanded to 15%. Professor Rowan Pritchard-Jones says C2-Ai’s AI-backed waiting list prioritisation system "helps put the right patient, in the right environment, with the right team, at the right time".

Vigilent 

According to Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019, buildings are responsible for around 40% of global carbon emissions. In buildings ranging from data centres to bustling office towers, Vigilent’s innovation is to use AI to dynamically optimise heating, cooling, and ventilation. It's system ensures not only a harmonious indoor environment but also minimizes energy usage and carbon emissions – a twenty-four-hour commitment to a greener future.

How can AI help make the world greener?

Cliff Federspiel, President and CTO at Vigilent discusses how Vigilent uses AI and machine learning to optimise industrial systems while reducing carbon emissions.

Access the full episode 

 

Gary Moore and Mark Walker from AbilityNet presenting the Award to Bob Thompson from Vigilent who is on screen

Further resources

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