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Driving Digital Inclusion for Children and Families
AbilityNet is delighted to be working as part of a national programme to boost digital skills, Driving Digital Inclusion*, with 12 UK based charities within the Digital Services Consortium (DSC), including KIDS, Sense, Rainbow Trust and National Deaf Children’s Society.
The broad-reaching partnership is due to continue into 2027, and will benefit 40,000 families by enhancing their digital skills and sharing access to technology and data.
AbilityNet's team will be helping to upskill staff within the 12 charities on subjects like online safety and device accessibility, along with directly supporting families who may need a more comprehensive assessment on adaptations to their technology.
We are working closely with The Good Things Foundation, who will be managing delivering digital devices to recipients.
Only 60% of disabled people have internet access at home, compared to 81% of non-disabled people.
– Survey across European countries
– Survey across European countries
One in four families living with disability have relatively low income (Family Resources Survey) and therefore are more likely to be digitally excluded. Living on a low or very low income, and ‘financial vulnerability’ are among the strongest predictors of digital exclusion across all ages - Good Things Foundation, 2024
Speaking about the far-reaching initiative, Donna Baker-Smith, lead for the project within AbilityNet said:
“I’m incredibly proud to be part of this project, working alongside such dedicated organisations to make a real difference for families. Empowering people with the skills, tools, and confidence to use technology not only opens up opportunities—it transforms lives. It’s a privilege to contribute to something with such meaningful and lasting impact.”
Support for families and children
To apply for support with your family's digital skills or access, please visit the Driving Digital Inclusion programme project information on the Kids charity website:
NB Support is available to young disabled people or those with serious illnesses, or special educational needs (SEND), and their family members.
Support for disabled adults and older people
Please note that AbilityNet is not providing direct support to families via the Driving Digital Inclusion project, but disabled adults and older people can contact AbilityNet directly to request free, individual one-to-one tech support via AbilityNet's network of 450+ Tech Volunteers across the UK:
Ask AbilityNet for tech support
Refer a family for a free assessment on adaptations to technology
Please note that this referral is for AbilityNet to learn more about families who may need a more comprehensive assessment on adaptations to their technology and is to be completed by Digital Services Consortium member charities only.
* Thanks to National Lottery players, the DSC has received over £1.5 million over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. The DSC has also received a grant of £400,000 from BBC Children in Need for two years to provide digital support for disabled or seriously ill children and young people and their family members across the UK. Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone have generously donated devices and data through the Good Things Foundation National Databank and Device Bank which will help address affordability barriers.