5 ways to make Purple Tuesday your catalyst for change

Annie Mannion | 07 Nov 2023

Purple Tuesday and AbilityNet logos in purple yellow and white bubblesIt's Purple Tuesday!

Purple Tuesday takes place on the first Tuesday of November each year and serves as a celebratory day, promoting accessibility and inclusivity.

AbilityNet supports Purple Tuesday, as we strive to ensure and promote digital inclusion in all we do.

Here are 5 ways to make Purple Tuesday your day to celebrate and commit to disability inclusion:

1. Attend a free webinar: 12 Scams of Christmas

As part of AbilityNet's Digital Skills project with BT Group to support people 65+ with getting online and using technology, we are hosting a free webinar on Tuesday 12 December, 1pm GMT.

In the webinar learn how to protect yourself from the most common online scams that can be especially rife around the festive season. Encourage and help others to attend who might not already be familiar with registering for online meetings and events - log on, bring a friend, relative or client!
 

Register for scams webinar

 

2. Download Easy Read factsheets

Get support from AbilityNet via our guidance about getting online and using tech to benefit both disabled people and older people. Access our Factsheets, My Computer My Way to help you with a range of tech queries. Our most popular factsheets are available in Easy Read format.

You can also find useful resources if you're an employer looking to develop your inclusive practices, such as how to promote diversity and inclusion. You can also learn about reasonable adjustments with our free resources and case studies. 

Employing disabled people is good for business. Access our What are Reasonable Adjustments? factsheet

Reasonable adjustments at work apply to all workers, including trainees, apprentices, contract workers and business partners. Reasonable adjustments are also referred to as Reasonable accommodations, particularly in the US and Ireland.


3. Speak to your employer about becoming Disability Confident

Disability confident logo showing icons of two people, two ticks, an unlocked padlock and a person thinkingDisability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

AbilityNet is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader: This program provides training and support to leaders in business and government to help them create a more inclusive workplace for people with disabilities. 

If your organisation isn't yet Disability Confident, find out more about the scheme via Gov.UK and encourage your workplace to make positive changes.

4. Establish accessible recruitment and customer service practices

Watch our free webinar 'How Microsoft does accessible, inclusive recruitment' for great ideas about what you should expect from potential employers and how your organisation can boost its inclusive recruitment policies and practices.

You might also benefit from formal, great value training about recruitment. AbilityNet offers an eLearning course for all employees, plus an online training course for your team.

5. Don't forget about customer services

There are 1.3 billion disabled people in the world that represent 17% of the population, and 75% of disabled people and their families have walked away from a business because of poor accessibility or customer service.

So don't forget about ensuring accessible customer services. AbilityNet can advise about the unintentional barriers that can impact the customer experience and suggest immediate changes to make sure your customer services processes cater to the widest audience.

Disability Inclusion Gap Analysis

Having a clear picture of where you are now with disability inclusion, and a roadmap to move forward, will transform your ability to make meaningful progress. 

Sign up to our upcoming free course about How to build a disability inclusive workplace.


Can you help others get online?

Jordan volunteer standing by a wall outside a house smilingDo you have some spare time available to help people in your community learn basic computer skills?

You don’t need to be a tech guru to help as an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer. Typical help requests for a volunteer include:

  • Helping someone set up an email account
  • Showing someone how to use online video calling via WhatsApp or Zoom
  • Setting up a new device and connecting it to the internet
  • Giving advice on anti-virus protection and internet safety
  • Changing basic device settings to make it easier to us
     

Become a Tech Volunteer

 

How AbilityNet can help you

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people.

AbilityNet accessibility services

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If you're able to help us help others please donate to AbilityNet