AbilityNet selected as Tech Week Charity of the Year

Annie Mannion | 30 Jul 2026

Birmingham Tech Week logo with image of bull's head on itAbilityNet has been selected as Birmingham Tech Week's Charity of the Year for 2026, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to make the digital world accessible and inclusive for everyone.

AbilityNet will be featured throughout one of the UK's largest regional tech festivals, bringing together business leaders, innovators, investors, policymakers and tech professionals.
 
Taking place from 19 to 23 October 2026, Birmingham Tech Week explores the trends shaping the future of technology and AI.

As Charity of the Year, AbilityNet will engage with delegates across the week and take part in the festival's flagship dinner, where fundraising will support its work helping people use digital technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.

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Amy Low, CEO at AbilityNet, said:

"We're delighted to be Birmingham Tech Week's Charity of the Year.

Every day, millions of disabled and older people face barriers to using technology or risk being left behind as more of life moves online. AbilityNet exists to change that. We help people develop digital skills, use technology with confidence, and access the opportunities, services and connections that many of us take for granted. At the same time, we work with organisations to create accessible digital products, services and workplaces, ensuring technology works for everyone of their customers."

Paige Jackson, Events Manager at Birmingham Tech Week, said:

"We're thrilled to welcome AbilityNet as our Charity of the Year for 2026. As technology continues to evolve, accessibility and inclusion have never been more important. We look forward to helping raise awareness of AbilityNet's work and supporting fundraising throughout the week."

The partnership comes as organisations face growing pressure to deliver accessible digital services, support vulnerable customers and adopt AI responsibly.

Have questions about AI and accessibility?
Planning, testing or deploying AI features? Talk to AbilityNet’s accessibility experts to make sure your chatbots, AI search, Copilot integrations and other AI-powered experiences work for disabled users, reduce risk and deliver a better experience for everyone. Ask AbilityNet for AI advice.

Funds raised during Birmingham Tech Week will support AbilityNet's free technology support for older and disabled people, its digital skills programmes and guidance that helps organisations create more accessible digital experiences.

If your organisation would like to support AbilityNet's involvement in Birmingham Tech Week, donate a prize for fundraising activities or learn more about our work, please get in touch.

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AbilityNet's free online resources and our network of more than 500 community-based volunteers help individuals with any disability, of any age, to use all kinds of digital technology. 

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