Want to learn about accessibility but have a limited budget?
Submitted by Annie Mannion on Wed, 28/02/2024 - 16:18
For small businesses and charities, lack of staff time, budget and knowledge can make it hard to know where to start with digital accessibility.
Don't worry, we have developed a training course to help approach accessibility in austerity, aimed at organisations of around 20 staff or fewer, that will teach you how to break barriers, not the bank: learn about achievable accessibility solutions for small organisations with limited resources and budgets.
When is the course running?
Join us on Wednesday 20 March 2024 from 13:00 to 14:30 GMT for Accessibility on a Shoestring: Accessibility for smaller organisations, a live session with one of our experienced digital accessibility experts.
Jess Cahill will outline the key aspects of digital accessibility including procurement, accessible content, usability testing, and finance and management.
Learn how to make the most impact with limited resources and pick up the basic principles of digital accessibility:
Can't make it or are you interested in sharing accessibility knowledge with your whole team? If you would like to run this course with more than 8 staff in-house, then speak to our experts.
About your trainer
Your course trainer Jess Cahill is an Accessibility & Usability Consultant with AbilityNet. Her professional background includes web product and project roles, content design and UX research, in both charity and private sectors, including in the disability field.
Suitable for all levels of knowledge, in the session you'll learn about what to consider when making procurement decisions and choosing products, creating accessible content on your website, and making social media posts and documents.
You'll also find out how to test with real users, and how to manage and fund accessibility, as well as learning about free tools and resources available.
Who will benefit from this training?
Communications officers, website managers, digital officers and general managers in small organisations with responsibility for websites, social media, documents or internal policy will find the information valuable.
Get even better value with a 10 for 8 training bundle
Our 2024 training bundle offers you a great-value way to learn the latest best practices for creating accessible and inclusive products, services, and experiences.
Download your training brochure
You can also download a training brochure to browse what other accessibility and inclusion courses are available, and share with your team.
What previous attendees say about AbilityNet training courses
“Another excellent training session from AbilityNet. The training was incredibly informative and has given me a lot of practical knowledge that I now feel confident in applying to my work... The course included so much information and detailed examples, having the recording to refer to will be really useful. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who works with PDF content! [Five stars]” - Louise Rutledge, Digital Comms Officer at Samaritans
"As a national charity, it’s vital that we reach as many people as possible. AbilityNet’s training courses are clear, modern, understandable, and supports us in reaching our goal of becoming more accessible. It is obvious that AbilityNet is driven by passion and dedication to accessibility – and that is infectious." - Ellie Lundberg, Women’s Aid
Explore AbilityNet's range of live training courses, designed to strengthen your skills in fostering inclusivity and accessibility while also advancing your professional growth.
AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology
3 tips for designing user research for neurodivergent testers
Submitted by Ashley Peacock on Tue, 27/02/2024 - 08:05
Imagine conducting user testing that accidentally excludes 1 in 7 people - and what's worse, you don't even know you've done it.
Sadly this scenario is all too common, especially when it comes to neurodivergent individuals. In the pursuit of inclusivity, it's not just about finding and involving diverse participants in your research process, you also need to make sure your research methods cater to their unique needs.
As one of AbilityNet's user research experts, I delivered a talk at TechShare Pro 2023 about designing user research for neurodivergent users.
This is a quick summary of my top three tips - you can get a lot more insight by watching the full session below.
1. Likert Scales: More Than Just Numbers
Likert scales, commonly used in research surveys, often pose challenges for neurodivergent individuals.
Ambiguity surrounds the meaning behind each number, making it difficult for participants to provide accurate responses. To address this, consider labelling the Likert scale with clear descriptors for each number.
It's also a good idea to include an open-box option for further comments, allowing participants to express their experiences beyond the limitations of predefined choices.
2. Clear, Unambiguous, and Specific Language
The language used in research questions might seem clear to researchers, but it can be overly broad and ambiguous for participants.
The 'Double Empathy Problem' emphasises the miscommunications that arise when neurodivergent individuals interact with non-neurodivergent individuals. To overcome this, ensure questions are framed with clarity, avoiding vague prompts like "Tell me about yourself?" Instead, use precise language to prevent information overload or overwhelming responses.
3. Tools for Expression: Going Beyond Words
The condition of alexithymia, prevalent among neurodivergent individuals, makes it challenging to articulate emotions through language.
Traditional questions like "How are you feeling?" may not yield accurate responses.
You can overcome this by providing alternative mediums for communication, such as art or descriptions of mental images and physical sensations. Avoid limiting emotional expression to a predefined set of options - and make sure you allow participants the time they need to respond authentically.
Inclusive user testing for neurodivergent users
Inclusive user research isn't just about ticking boxes; it's about redefining your approach to gathering data.
By acknowledging the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals, you can create research practices that truly represent the diversity of experiences.
As you embark on your next research project, remember to provide context for Likert scales, use clear language, and offer diverse tools for expression. Only then can your research be genuinely inclusive, beneficial, and ultimately, better for your business.
If you're interested in putting disabled individuals at the heart of your project through User Research, explore AbilityNet’s User Research service.
Martha Lane-Fox takes on the Three Peaks to support AbilityNet
Submitted by Charis Paterson on Thu, 22/02/2024 - 07:47
We are delighted that our patron Martha Lane-Fox has chosen to support AbilityNet as she takes on the Three Peaks Challenge later this year.
Martha, who suffered a stroke and broke 26 bones in a life-changing car crash in 2004, is setting out to conquer the three highest peaks in the UK.
Twenty years on from her accident she is will be climbing Snowden on April 20th, Scafell Pike on May 5th and Ben Nevis on September 7th. You can find more details on her Martha's Mountain Mayhem external fundraising page.
Martha will not be alone on during this mountain marathon as her two seven-year-old boys will be joining her. Can you support their amazing challenge?
"I want to raise a serious amount of money for four charities which are linked to my story," says Martha on her fundraising page.
"Firstly, dayonetrauma.org who help people navigate the recovery from extreme physical trauma. They are building an amazing support network of peers, but the need is enormous and they want to expand into every major trauma centre in the UK."
"Secondly, Iamthecode.org who train girls in refugee camps with computer science and digital skills. If I had not be fortunate enough to be involved in the early days of e-commerce, I would not have had the resources to find the best care both at home and in hospital. These girls may never leave the camps, but at least they have more opportunity to get work through new skills. IATC wants to have trained 1m girls by 2030.
"Thirdly, AbilityNet who work to help everyone use digital services, particularly people with disabilities."
"Please help me to help these different charities, all of whom plug vital holes in different systems of care," says Martha.
Martha's role with AbilityNet
Martha Lane Fox (Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho) became our patron in 2011. She took part in our Look No Hands campaign, alongside Stephen Fry, which showed how challenging technology can be to some disabled people. She also won our Tech4Good Special Award in 2023.
As a charity that offers support to disabled and older people and aims to make the digital world accessible to all, we are delighted Martha has chosen to support AbilityNet.
Our valued network of 450+ volunteers help disabled people and older people across the UK to learn how technology can help them, and make the most out of the digital world. We're always keen to welcome new tech volunteers to AbilityNet's IT Support at Home service.
Submitted by AbilityNet on Wed, 21/02/2024 - 10:48
When navigating the new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 updates, it's important not to just focus on meeting compliance, but to reflect on how it impacts your very real users. To achieve this, combining WCAG 2.2 standards with user testing is key. This way, you can ensure that your website and digital content not only meet the standards, but also genuinely cater to the needs of real users.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the recent updates in WCAG 2.2 and discuss how these changes can significantly impact the lives of users, focussing on the lived experiences of disabled individuals.
What is WCAG?
WCAG, or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, serves as a benchmark for making digital content accessible to a diverse audience. With its four principles - perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust - WCAG sets standards that cater to various disabilities and technologies.
The guidelines have evolved over the years, with the recent release of WCAG 2.2 addressing a new range of new challenges faced by users.
Need training for you or your team about WCAG 2.2?
To help explain some of the WCAG 2.2 success criterion updates and how it affects disabled users, let’s meet Jordan and Kirsty.
Jordan: Physical and cognitive disabilities and WCAG
Jordan is a retired headmaster living with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson’s affects movement, causing tremors and affecting attention and executive functioning skills.
Jordan’s tremors lead to frequent mistakes and miss-clicks using the mouse, so he uses the keyboard to navigate websites. His attention span is affected by Parkinson's, which makes it difficult to spot and correct typing errors and complicating routines. It takes a lot of energy to type for Jordan, and if he uses a lot of energy, the symptoms of his Parkinson's disease will be more pronounced later in the day. He prefers to use a tablet, but there are obstacles such as inaccessible password managers preventing him from logging into a variety of different tools. He will often have to resort to asking family for help which affects his sense of value self-esteem.
Kirsty is a computer science master's graduate with ADHD and dyslexia.
Kirsty experiences emotional dysregulation and concentration difficulties. Although she spends a lot of time building assistive technology for people with a broad range of conditions, inaccessible digital content can still result in causing her emotional dysregulation which in turn affects her executive functions including memory and attention.
So, Kirsty can end up miss-clicking buttons, and become emotionally and cognitively drained, which affects her other activities throughout the day.
As we explore their experiences, we'll see how WCAG 2.2 guidelines can positively impact their interactions with digital content.
WCAG 2.2 Guidelines in Action
2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) and 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)
The Focus Not Obscured success criteria aim to enhance web accessibility for sighted users who rely on keyboard navigation, by ensuring that no interactive component or its focus indicator is partially or fully obscured by other content on the page.
Jordan started to use the keyboard a lot more rather than the mouse because of the physical effects of his Parkinson's. Kirsty uses keyboard shortcuts a lot because it helps her to concentrate and focus on a task.
So, for users like Jordan and Kirsty who rely on keyboard navigation, having a clear focus is crucial. Guidelines ensuring that focused elements are not obscured by overlays or banners contribute significantly to a smoother user experience.
2.4.13 Focus Appearance
The Focus Appearance success criterion makes it easier to spot the keyboard focus by using a focus indicator of sufficient size and contrast.
The width and colour contrast of the focus indicator become vital for users like Kirsty, with a shorter attention span. Ensuring a noticeable focus appearance aid in navigating digital interfaces seamlessly.
2.5.7 Dragging Movements and 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
Considering the physical challenges Jordan faces due to Parkinson's, the Dragging Movements criterion helps as it ensures ana single pointer alternative for functions requiring dragging movements.
The minimum target size set by the Target Size criterion make it easier to avoid accidentally clicking on the wrong button ensuring a more frustration-free experience.
3.3.7 Redundant Entry and 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
The Redundant Entry criterion reduces frustration and physical strain by allowing users to avoid repetitive data input. The Accessible Authentication criterion means individuals are not required to memorise their details, transcribe passwords, or complete other types of cognitive tests to authenticate their identity or similar details.
Both criteria provide support for those with cognitive impairments or neurodivergence like Kirsty, who may struggle with memory-related tasks.
3.2.6 Consistent Help
The introduction of the Consistent Help criterion ensure consistent placement of help mechanisms across web pages, benefiting both Jordan and Kirsty, enabling them to find assistance easily and reducing the mental effort required to navigate through various sections.
WCAG 2.2’s impact on disabled people
Implementing WCAG 2.2 translates into tangible benefits for users like Jordan and Kirsty. Reducing redundant entries and ensuring accessible authentication empower them to use technology more independently.
Clear focus, larger target sizes, and consistent help placements alleviate frustration, making day-to-day activities less exhausting.
Each criterion plays a crucial role in addressing specific challenges faced by a wide variety of users.
WCAG 2.2 and user testing
By implementing these guidelines and conducting user testing, researchers can uncover nuanced experiences and barriers, enriching their findings. This approach provides a more holistic understanding of user interactions, ensuring that accessibility is not just an abstract concept, but a tangible improvement in the lives of your users.
WCAG 2.2 goes beyond a checklist; it has a tangible impact on individuals like Jordan and Kirsty, enhancing their digital experiences.
By seamlessly integrating accessibility and usability, you can move closer to a gold standard where technology empowers users, fostering confidence and independence.
Ready to conduct successful inclusive user testing?
We make sure that you ask the right people the right questions at the right time and make the best use of their feedback. Find out how to get the most from your user research budget.
This blog is a loose transcription of our expert accessibility consultants Ashley Peacock and Claire Poste’s TechShare Pro 2023 Lunch and Learn recording about Humanising WCAG 2.2. Watch the full recording below.
Congratulations on 20 years volunteering with AbilityNet!
Submitted by Annie Mannion on Tue, 20/02/2024 - 13:52
Mick Simmons, has been providing valuable free IT support to older people and disabled people of any age in his Reading region for TWENTY YEARS, as part of our free IT Support at Home service (also available online)!
Asked about his experience as an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer over the past 20 years, Mick said: "Technology over the last 20 years has changed dramatically and has brought new challenges. But there are fun moments and volunteering is always rewarding."
We want to say a hearty congratulations and thank you to Mick for all his hard work and support for people in his area. What a magnificent achievement.
Why volunteer with AbilityNet?
We're always keen to welcome new tech volunteers to AbilityNet's IT Support at Home service. If you're reading this and would like to get involved, please get in contact.
Some recent comments from clients who have been supported:
“Incredible help from someone who really knows what he is doing. Nothing was too much trouble.”
“I was really impressed, Alfie was so quick and helped us so much. We can't thank you enough.”
“My tutor was cheerful, encouraging and intuitive, sensing I was extremely nervous and lacking in confidence.”
“Your colleague was polite, knowledgeable, and very patient. She explained several things to me with good humour. I am enormously grateful for this help."
“I was in a desperate mess with my IT, I found the service very supportive, extremely patient and ongoing tailored to my needs. It is good to know there is help out there.” - Client who received free technology support
How AbilityNet can help
AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people, and their carers.
Google welcomes AbilityNet Tech Volunteers to its research lab
Submitted by Annie Mannion on Thu, 15/02/2024 - 16:08
A group of AbilityNet Tech Volunteers were warmly welcomed to the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre in London earlier this month, for an exclusive tour led by Google's Senior UX Engineer, Gurmukh Panesar.
The volunteers had the opportunity to explore the centre, which opened in 2022, and engage in thought-provoking discussions and questions surrounding accessibility. The centre assists Google's engineers and researchers to consider the technology access barriers faced by disabled individuals.
"It was an insightful and inspiring experience for all involved, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the importance of inclusive design. Thank you to Google for this enriching opportunity," says AbilityNet's Chris Grant, who attended the session.
Amazing insight into the Google world of accessibility
AbilityNet's volunteers were able to learn more about some of the assistive technologies that can help those they are supporting in their communities.
"I had the opportunity to explore a space dedicated to collaborating, co-designing, and learning with the accessibility and disability communities.
The centre showcased remarkable technologies tailored to various disability types, including visual, hearing, mental, and physical impairments, highlighting Google's commitment to addressing the specific needs of different disability communities," says AbilityNet Tech Volunteer, Ahmad Aladawi.
"The tour was engaging and thought-provoking, emphasising the importance of inclusive technology and innovation in reshaping the landscape of accessibility.
"I was particularly impressed by the advancements in each area, ranging from screen readers and magnification features to smart lights and captioning, as well as cognitive assistance tools and personalised prompts.
"The visit reinforced the significance of leveraging technology to create a more equitable and accessible world for all, and I look forward to seeing similar centres in UK universities and institutions," continues Ahmad.
A trio of Google centres around the world
“I was excited to have this opportunity as I have heard a lot about this place. It did not disappoint as each type of disability was covered. There were several apps that will prove to be useful. There was also a space for disabled people to try out and test Google’s technologies. I would recommend anyone to have a visit. I understand this one of only three Google centres in the world - one in California, one in New York and this one." - Myles Pilling, AbilityNet volunteer.
"The visit to Google was a great tour. Not only did we get to network with fellow volunteer, iIt was an amazing insight into the Google world of accessibility. If you get the chance to see it I would recommend attending." - Leanne Newell, AbilityNet volunteer.
Photos courtesy of AbilityNet Tech Volunteer Mark Mugglestone.
Learn more about AbilityNet Tech Volunteers
Find out more about the work of AbilityNet Tech Volunteers in our film that provides an insight into their varied and rewarding roles. Meet Jo, Greg and Jordan:
"I've grown up with technology and sometimes you forget that there's people that haven't, especially the older generation. Something that might seem trivial to yourself can make a huge difference to somebody who's never used a computer. And it really does. You can see it in their eyes, when they've accomplished things themselves - that smile and that energy you get from them is really rewarding, and I absolutely love it." - Jordan Rosser, AbilityNet Tech Volunteer.
Become a volunteer with AbilityNet
Our volunteers make such a difference to the lives of disabled and older people in our communities. Can you join our community of 450+ amazing volunteers across the UK, and help support older people and disabled people with their technology?
If you work for an organisation that is interested in developing its volunteering programme, visit our Corporate Social Responsibility information to find out more and learn how to become a partner with AbilityNet.
By supporting AbilityNet, you can help ensure disabled people aren't excluded from the digital world.
Although using and interacting with information technology (IT) is becoming increasingly intuitive, it is not a natural process and therefore, some level of training will be needed for anyone. Training is also the most efficient way to improve confidence and encourage further independent learning.
AbilityNet provides free IT support to help older people and disabled people to use technology to achieve their goals. We have a network of friendly volunteers who can help with most major computer systems, laptops, tablet devices and smartphones. Currently, we are providing all of our support remotely.
We are often asked about teaching and training on computer skills, this factsheet provides the details of the companies, charities, and government initiatives that can provide this.
Last updated: February 2024
Although using and interacting with information technology (IT) is becoming increasingly intuitive, it is not a natural process and therefore, some level of training will be needed for anyone. Training is also the most efficient way to improve confidence and encourage further independent learning.
AbilityNet provides free IT support to help older people and disabled people to use technology to achieve their goals. We have a network of friendly volunteers who can help with most major computer systems, laptops, tablet devices and smartphones. Currently, we are providing all of our support remotely.
We are often asked about teaching and training on computer skills, this factsheet provides the details of the companies, charities, and government initiatives that can provide this.
Smart speakers and connected devices can make your home more accessible if you're a disabled or older person. We explain what devices are available and how to make the most of them.
Last updated: February 2024
Smart speakers and connected devices can make your home more accessible if you're a disabled or older person. We explain what devices are available and how to make the most of them.
Submitted by Lucy Woodcock on Fri, 09/02/2024 - 11:14
User testing, also known as usability testing, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that digital products are accessible and user-friendly for a diverse audience. When usability testing uncovers problems, it's essential to delve into the specific reasons behind the shortcomings.
AbilityNet specialises in user research involving disabled and older users, who may experience specific barriers in accessing the digital environment. Our expert accessibility consultants have encountered various challenges that shed light on potential user experience issues.
In this blog, we delve into eight common issues identified during user testing, aiming to foster a better understanding of user needs and improve overall digital inclusivity.
8 common issues identified in user testing
Mismatched Journey Flows
Usability is impacted when there is a discrepancy between participants' expectations and the actual journey flows within a system.
Confusion and frustration arise when processes do not align with users' perceptions, impacting the overall user experience. Failure to understand and address these mismatches leads to interfaces that are not intuitive and user-friendly.
Assistive Technology Communication
Despite being designed to enhance accessibility, our testing has revealed instances where assistive technologies, such as screen readers, failed to communicate information effectively. This is usually not linked to the assistive technology itself but results from code that has not been written with accessibility in mind. This highlights the importance of ensuring compatibility and seamless interaction for users relying on assistive tools.
True usability or inclusive design demands effective communication and navigation for all users. User testing with assistive technology users is a great way to achieve this.
Challenges with Interactive Elements
Interactive elements, like forms and sliders, can pose difficulties for individuals with motor challenges.
It's vital to design these components with accessibility in mind, ensuring that all users, regardless of physical abilities, can navigate and interact with them comfortably. Without such considerations, user testing results may reflect usability issues that exclude a portion of the user base.
Participants often exhibit strong colour preferences or dislikes, particularly in cases of vision impairments where the wrong colour combination can prevent users from reading content.
Designing interfaces that accommodate these preferences while adhering to accessibility standards for colour contrast ensures a more inclusive and personalised user experience. User testing must account for diverse visual needs to truly reflect the potential user experience.
Cognitive Accessibility Challenges
Even when content meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria, some participants faced further accessibility challenges due to cognitive differences.
Addressing cognitive aspects involves creating content that is not only technically compliant but also easily comprehensible and navigable for users with varying cognitive abilities. Successful user testing requires a holistic approach to accessibility that includes cognitive considerations.
Participants expressing the need for more time or alternative task completion methods highlight issues with task complexity. Ask yourself, can this task be simplified? Users can often tell you what could make it more straightforward and this will help everyone.
Streamlining processes and providing flexibility in task completion can significantly enhance the usability of a system, catering to a wider range of user abilities and preferences. Time constraints should not be a barrier; rather, they should be considered in the design and testing processes.
Ambiguous Errors and Tooltips
Despite meeting WCAG criteria, errors and tooltips can prove unclear or unhelpful for some users.
Clear and concise communication in error messages and tooltips is essential to guide users effectively, preventing frustration and ensuring a smooth user experience. User testing should scrutinise these micro-interactions to guarantee a seamless journey for all users.
Physical Accessibility Concerns
Physical limitations, such as difficulty accessing machines or requiring specific dexterity and stamina, have been identified in our usability testing.
Addressing these physical barriers involves designing products that consider the diverse physical capabilities of users, promoting inclusivity and usability for all. User testing should encompass a comprehensive evaluation of physical accessibility barriers to ensure no user is left behind.
User testing serves as a valuable process to gain insights into user experiences, enabling designers and developers to enhance their products for a more diverse audience.
By addressing the challenges highlighted in this blog - ranging from mismatched journey flows to physical accessibility concerns, paves the way for more inclusive and user-friendly design.
The key to successful user testing lies in a commitment to accessibility, ensuring that every user, regardless of their abilities or preferences, can navigate and interact seamlessly with digital interfaces. This means including a diverse range of users in your testing sessions.
Ready to conduct successful inclusive user testing?
We make sure that you ask the right people the right questions at the right time and make the best use of their feedback. Find out how to get the most from your user research budget.
How the internet can help combat winter loneliness
Submitted by Annie Mannion on Thu, 08/02/2024 - 10:14
AbilityNet has partnered with Broadband Genie, a consumer comparison site for broadband, to highlight the importance of connecting elderly people online to help combat loneliness.
According to a survey conducted by Broadband Genie* in January with more than 1000 people in the UK over 65 years old, two fifths (41%) of the UK’s pensioners say they are reliant on their internet connection to stay in touch with loved ones.
A fifth (20%) admit to feeling lonelier during the winter months, and a further 39% of those surveyed say they depend on the internet for entertainment.
Loneliness at its peak in the winter
The research reveals how internet usage is increasing among older people as a means to prevent them from becoming isolated, as a third (35%) of over 65s polled say they spend more time on their own during this colder time of the year.
And almost half (46%) of over 75s surveyed admit they spend at least five hours a day in front of their TVs for comfort.
Results from the survey show that the loneliest location for pensioners in the UK is Birmingham, where more than a quarter of older people (26%) report feeling more isolated in the colder months, with 32% saying that they spend more time alone during this season.
Sarah Brain (pictured), Free Services Manager at AbilityNet comments:
“In today's digital era, a significant portion of life unfolds online. Research indicates that older people, compared to other age groups, are less likely to engage regularly with digital devices or the internet.
“Elderly people in Birmingham were revealed to feel the most isolated in winter. The city is an area of focus for AbilityNet and our Senior Skills Digital Training, in collaboration with BT Group.
“As a charity we are committed to ensuring everyone can access technology. Our experience has revealed that older individuals facing digital exclusion—those who seldom or never go online—often grapple with a combination of low confidence, low skills, and a lack of motivation, and this is true for those with and without affordability issues.
“It is crucial to provide those who wish to learn with access to reliable, trusted sources of support and information. AbilityNet's helpline and dedicated volunteers are ready to assist older individuals in enhancing their digital skills. By doing so, we aim to simplify day-to-day tasks, foster easier connectivity with friends and family, and keep them abreast of the latest news and entertainment.”
Free webinar: Digital discovery: your guide to the online world with BT Group and Amazon
Enjoy a digitally connected life in your guide to becoming tech savvy in your senior years - or at any age. Learn about how digital devices can help, not hinder, your life experiences, including using Amazon Alexa and Echo devices.
If you work for an organisation that helps older people, the resources we share in the webinar can also be used to help clients you support, so bring along a group!
Join a FREE webinar on Wednesday 28 February 2024 between 1pm - 2pm GMT.
With results showing that a third of over 65s (32%) spend more than three hours on a laptop or computer every day and 69% use social media as a way to keep themselves occupied, it's not necessarily surprising that landlines are now being used less than in previous years.
Six-out-of-ten (61%) of over 65s polled report that they no longer use a landline, and 37% use it less than an hour a day.
With changes to landlines being rolled out across the country in the coming years, it will become more important for all to have a working broadband connection. A key issue to address as part of this change is to ensure that elderly people are taught digital skills to use the internet effectively to meet their needs.
While reliance on internet connectivity becomes increasingly vital for the wellbeing of older people, over three quarters (78%) of British pensioners are still unaware of social tariffs to help get them connected, despite many being eligible for the savings.
Alex Tofts, streaming expert at Broadband Genie, comments: “The need to keep older generations connected cannot be overstated as so many use the internet to keep in touch with loved ones.
“Loneliness among seniors is a pressing concern, with profound implications for mental and emotional well-being. For many, the internet serves as a bridge to social interactions, virtual communities, and diverse forms of entertainment.
“By promoting accessibility through broadband social tariffs, providers empower the elderly to stay engaged, connected, and remain active participants in the digital age.
“The partnership between Broadband Genie and AbilityNet recognises that the internet has the potential to be a powerful antidote to social isolation. Ensuring older consumers have the confidence and skills to go online is crucial.
“Another barrier to connectivity is the cost, which is why Broadband Genie is calling on broadband providers to actively sign up more eligible pensioners to affordable social tariffs.”
How can I get help developing digital skills?
If you're over 65 years of age and looking to build your skills, we're offering free digital skills sessions in areas in and around London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
Trainers can build something bespoke for your group or for an individual and run sessions including:
*Broadband Genie research into streaming habits conducted by Censuswide from 10th to 15th January 2024 using a survey of 1,010 respondents aged 65+ weighted to be nationally representative.
**Please note: calls to our helpline number cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls, and AbilityNet does not receive any money from these calls.
For small businesses and charities, lack of staff time, budget and knowledge can make it hard to know where to start with digital accessibility.
Your course trainer Jess Cahill is an Accessibility & Usability Consultant with AbilityNet. Her professional background includes web product and project roles, content design and UX research, in both charity and private sectors, including in the disability field. 
Download your training brochure
enty years on from her accident she is will be climbing Snowden on April 20th, Scafell Pike on May 5th and Ben Nevis on September 7th. You can find more details on her 
Martha Lane Fox (Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho) became our patron in 2011. She took part in 
AbilityNet's Digital Skills project with BT Group is supporting people 65+ with getting online and using technology, such as:
Need training for you or your team about WCAG 2.2?
Mick Simmons, has been providing valuable free IT support to older people and disabled people of any age in his Reading region for TWENTY YEARS, as part of our free 
Highlighting AbilityNet's impact 2023
A group of AbilityNet Tech Volunteers were warmly welcomed to the 
"I had the opportunity to explore a space dedicated to collaborating, co-designing, and learning with the accessibility and disability communities.
"The tour was engaging and thought-provoking, emphasising the importance of inclusive technology and innovation in reshaping the landscape of accessibility.
“I was excited to have this opportunity as I have heard a lot about this place. It did not disappoint as each type of disability was covered. There were several apps that will prove to be useful. There was also a space for disabled people to try out and test Google’s technologies. I would recommend anyone to have a visit. I understand this one of only three Google centres in the world - one in California, one in New York and this one." - Myles Pilling, AbilityNet volunteer.
"I've grown up with technology and sometimes you forget that there's people that haven't, especially the older generation. Something that might seem trivial to yourself can make a huge difference to somebody who's never used a computer. And it really does. You can see it in their eyes, when they've accomplished things themselves - that smile and that energy you get from them is really rewarding, and I absolutely love it." - Jordan Rosser, AbilityNet Tech Volunteer.
AbilityNet has partnered with 
Sarah Brain (pictured), Free Services Manager at AbilityNet comments:
Free webinar: Digital discovery: your guide to the online world with BT Group and Amazon
With 