X, or Twitter as it used to be called, is a great way of complaining about things, or at least bringing topics of interest to other people's attention.

Recently, I spied a thread on X that had started with this comment, "My dad is nearly 90 and every official communication he gets requires the downloading of an app or the setting up of an online account. How do older people without relatives manage?"

Being helpful I then replied to highlight AbilityNet's volunteer support, available to older people and disabled people, for free. (Jordan, pictured, is one of our tech volunteers who helps people in his area in Wales.)

Change is harder, as we age

As we get older, our ability to cope with change and new concepts becomes less and less. I'm 52 and I can't cope with change. I like things to be the way they always were.

But I'm also a realist and I know things are going to change, whether I like it or not. Change can be a good thing, but if you are going to change things you do need to make sure that you take people with you. 

Sadly, sometimes I'm not sure if organisations realise this. 

Don't assume

There are many things we now can do online, be it getting a doctor's appointment or buying a train ticket or even doing online banking. 

It is assumed that we know how to do these simple tasks. Just because I'm confident with my smartphone doesn't mean that my mum who is 80 is going to be confident with hers. In fact, I know that she's not and the only reason she got it was so she can Facetime with her grandkids. 

Although I'm happy to give my elderly parents technical support, often it can lead to frustration on both our parts. 

But where do you go to get support if you don't have a family member to show you what to do?

Free help is available!

If you are disabled or are an older person and need help with your tech or digital devices, please contact us to ask one of our AbilityNet volunteers for support.

Our network of 450+ tech volunteers around the UK are always patient and are quite happy to show you what to do, as they understand you might not get it first time around.

Most of our volunteers have helped people who are in exactly your position.  

Of course, there are lots of people who have out-of-date technology, and you'd be surprised at the number of people who contact us who don't have smartphones. 

You'll be glad to know that there are lots of smartphones designed specifically for elderly people who might not want all the 'bells and whistles' of a new piece of fancy technology. 

Support your users

But sometimes what is missing from this move to everything going digital is the support from organisations when they change over to digital. It can sometimes seem that they just expect people to get on with the new systems.

Some people are going to struggle to get on with whatever provision has just gone digital only. 

Although there are support networks like AbilityNet available to help people embrace tech, when moving systems over to digital there must be support staff available who can cope with frustrated users and have the time to walk people through the changes.

Going digital is inevitable. However, don't just assume that everyone is going to be confident with making the move. There are going to be a lot of people who will struggle. That's why our Advice and Information service is there to help you. 

How AbilityNet can help you with tech for free

If you're over 65 years of age and looking to build your skills, AbilityNet offers free digital skills sessions in areas in and around London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff. We can also help you if you live outside these areas - contact us for support.

Trainers can build something bespoke for your group or for an individual and run sessions including:

• Getting to know your Smartphone or Tablet
• Staying Safer Online
• Getting started with Email
• Using Social Media, e.g. Facebook
• Online entertainment, e.g. watching TV online
• How to access Public Services e.g. Gov.UK
• How to make a video call
• How to manage your health online
• How to bank online

Book a free session

How AbilityNet can help you

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

• Call our helpline: 0300 180 0028
  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
• Access free factsheets about technology. Topics include voice recognition and keyboard alternatives.
• My Computer My Way: a free interactive guide to all the accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Support AbilityNet

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

International Assistance Dog Week (IADW) begins on the first Sunday of August every year. The week aims to raise awareness of the wide range of roles that assistance dogs have and how disabled people rely on them for independence. 

These remarkable dogs provide essential support, fostering independence and enhancing the quality of life for their handlers. While the bond and assistance provided by these canine companions are irreplaceable, recent technological advancements are further augmenting their support capabilities. In this blog, we will explore the cutting-edge technologies enhancing the abilities of assistance dogs, showcasing the incredible synergy between traditional support and modern innovation.

The lifeline of assistance dogs 

Assistance dogs have long been invaluable partners to disabled people, providing not just practical aid but also emotional support and companionship. These highly trained canines can transform lives, offering independence and confidence to their owners.  

There are various types of assistance dogs, each specialising in unique tasks tailored to their owner's needs. 

Types of assistance dogs 

• Guide dogs: Primarily used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, guide dogs help navigate obstacles, alert their owners to potential dangers, and ensure safe travel. Pictured is my assistance dog, Hugo, wearing a graduation cap at my honorary doctorate ceremony from the University of Suffolk!
• Hearing dogs: These dogs assist those who are deaf or hard of hearing by alerting them to important sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or emergency alarms. 
• Mobility assistance dogs: These dogs help people with physical impairments by retrieving objects, opening doors, and even assisting with balance while walking. 
• Medical alert dogs: Trained to detect specific medical conditions, these dogs can alert their owners to oncoming seizures, changes in blood sugar levels, or other critical health events. 
• Emotional support dogs: These dogs provide support to individuals with mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression, helping to interrupt harmful behaviours and providing a calming presence. 

The role of technology in supporting assistance needs 

While assistance dogs are irreplaceable companions, technological advancements are making significant strides in providing support, especially in areas where canine abilities might be limited. 

Let’s look at just a couple of examples. Being blind myself, I’ll brazenly focus on how tech is helping those with a vision impairment to meet their navigation needs. 

LiDAR in iPhone Pro models 

The incorporation of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) in recent iPhone Pro models is a game-changer for blind and partially sighted people. This technology can analyse the environment and provide real-time information about obstacles, people, doors (and even their type of handle) through haptic feedback or auditory cues. By creating a 3D map of the surroundings, LiDAR helps users navigate spaces more confidently and find objects more easily, supplementing the guidance offered by their dogs. 

Glide: A new horizon in navigation 

Another exciting development is the Glide device by Glidance (pictured and sourced by Glidance.io website), which is expected to be released soon. This wearable technology aims to enhance the mobility of visually impaired individuals by offering precise navigation assistance. Glide uses a combination of sensors and artificial intelligence to detect obstacles and provide directional guidance, ensuring safer and more efficient travel. 

Read our factsheet on how assistive technology can help people with vision impairment. Many features are standard within computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Robot guide dogs 

Research and development in the field of robotics are also paving the way for innovative solutions like robot guide dogs. One notable example is the project developed by the University of California, Berkeley, which aims to create a robotic guide dog equipped with advanced sensors and AI to assist visually impaired individuals. While these robotic companions are not yet ready to replace the trained talents of a real dog, they represent a promising step toward enhancing mobility for those in need. 

A firm future for our furry friends 

Despite these technological advancements, the invaluable services provided by our assistance dogs remain irreplaceable. Assistance dogs offer more than just practical help; they can provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of security that technology cannot (for now) fully replicate. 

This is why assistance dogs will continue to be an essential part of life for many disabled individuals, even as technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds. 

So, as we celebrate International Assistance Dog Week, it is essential to recognise the profound impact these dogs have on their owners' lives. While technology continues to evolve and offer new ways to support individuals with a range of needs, the irreplaceable assistance provided for us humans by our intelligent and intuitive canine companions ensures that assistance dogs will remain a crucial part of our lives for the foreseeable future. 

Further resources

• Visit the Assistance Dogs International website 
• Learn how technology can support employees with sight loss in our removing visual barriers training course or get in touch for team training for your team
• Sign up to our newsletter for updates on assistive technology, accessibility and more 

James Baverstock is a Principal Accessibility Consultant at AbilityNet, specialising in consultancy, training, and auditing for document accessibility. As a certified Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), he is well-versed in the latest advancements in the field.

Adobe has introduced a new cloud-based auto-tagging feature for PDFs that promises to make it easier to produce accessible PDF documents. In this article, James explores how to access this feature and how well it compares to Acrobat Pro’s previous auto-tagging functionality.

Why tags are important for PDF accessibility  

Good tagging is critical for PDF accessibility. Tags work like invisible labels that provide semantic meaning for elements like headings, lists and tables for screen readers and braille displays, as well as defining the reading order for assistive technology.  

You can create well-tagged PDFs if you follow best practice in authoring programs such as Word or InDesign, but many PDFs are created with no tags or bad tagging that is positively unhelpful.   

Remediating an untagged or badly tagged PDF entirely manually with Acrobat Pro can be very time consuming, but a quicker option can be to use Acrobat’s auto-tagging functionality initially to add tags and then manually review and adjust the tags produced.  

Unfortunately, Acrobat’s old auto-tagging feature had a lot of limitations, but Adobe has now introduced a new cloud-based version that leverages artificial intelligence and is advertised to be much improved.  

Accessing the new auto-tagging feature

This new auto-tagging option is cloud-based and requires you to explicitly approve it to be used. 

To turn it on in Acrobat Pro, use: Edit > Preferences > Accessibility > Enable cloud-based auto-tagging for accessibility.

When you open an untagged PDF in Acrobat Pro, you can run auto-tagging via the “Autotag Document” option in the “Accessibility” menu.

Adobe has stated that there are some limitations on content that can use the new feature, which are listed below:

• Large files (larger than 100MB or with more than 200 pages (or 100 pages for a scanned PDF)
• Files hosted on cloud storage
• Secured and protected files that don’t allow copying
• Content in languages that don’t use a Latin-based alphabet
• Form fields
• Text within annotations

If your file cannot be tagged using cloud-based auto-tagging, then Acrobat Pro automatically falls back to using the old, local auto-tagging method instead.

How well does it work?

To test how well the new auto-tagging works, I ran both the old and new auto-tagging on some different types of content to see how they compared.

The new auto-tagging does seem to be a considerable improvement over the previous version. Among the positive factors are:

• Auto-tagging of headings is much improved – the old, local auto-tagging just seemed to use the size of the heading to decide what heading level it should receive and heading levels (even for the main heading on the page) were often wrong.
• Auto-tagging is now more capable of recognising when lists and tables break across pages that they should be tagged as a single list or table across the pages and not as two separate elements on each page. Nested lists are also better tagged.
• Tables without visible borders between cells are potentially now recognised as tables when they were not previously, and column-based layouts are better dealt with than previously.
• Local auto-tagging was unable to recognise headers and footers. These would be tagged as paragraphs instead of converted to artefacts as recommended. Cloud-based auto-tagging is much better at recognising header and footer text.

There are still limitations though. In particular:

• Alt text is not added for images, so this needs to be added manually using the “Set Alternate Text” tool. (This seems sensible though, given the current state of AI-generated alt text, and avoids the risk of adding inappropriate automatically generated text.)
• The tagging of tables (particularly complex tables) is sometimes not ideal and needs further remediation.
• More complex layouts can cause misinterpretation of reading order and heading levels – although these seem to be interpreted much better than they used to be for more simple layouts.

In conclusion, the new auto-tagging is a good improvement for Acrobat that can definitely save time in your PDF remediation, but it is not perfect - so it remains very important to manually review the tags it produces and adjust them if necessary.

Further resources

• Adobe: Enhance document accessibility with cloud-based auto-tagging
• We offer help with PDF accessibility, such as our PDF accessibility training, guidance documentation and training workshops

Get in touch to discuss your needs

• The JISC June 2024 accessibility clinic featured presentations from Adobe on auto-tagging, including details on automating auto-tagging at scale via its API.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered recruitment systems are discriminating against disabled people. The people developing and using the systems need to look again at how they work and employers of all sizes and sectors to understand the risks that they face when using these solutions.

In a fascinating video interview, AbilityNet's Robin Christopherson talks to Susan Scott Parker about the dangers of using AI-powered systems in recruitment. 

Susan has been a leading figure in workplace inclusion for many years.

The founder of the UK's Business Disability Forum, Susan is now the CEO of business disability international, a Strategic Advisor to the UN's ILO Global Business Disability Network and Founder of Disability Ethical? AI Alliance.

Robin is AbilityNet's Head of Digital Inclusion and a leading global expert in AI and disability.

Watch the interview below. 

As Susan says:

“Most HR people do not understand how disability discrimination happens [in these systems]. They don't usually choose to treat disabled people unfairly, they just don't understand how it happens and what where the obstacles are that could be removed.

"So you've got recruiters who don't understand disability discrimination, and you've got developers of AI technology who don't understand it either.”

Looking for accessibility training for HR professionals?

These quotes from the interview illustrate Susan's concerns about how these systems are causing discrimination against disabled people:

• “For most organisations, diversity and inclusion does not make disability a priority.” - Susan Scott Parker
• “You can’t feel like you belong if you can’t get in.” - Susan Scott Parker
• “The AI developers saying we have removed all human bias is impossible because humans were involved in the process.” - Susan Scott Parker
• “We need to challenge the way [AI used in] HR is trained.” - Susan Scott Parker

More resources on Artificial Intelligence 

• Factsheet: What is AI and how do I use it? 
• Blog: The dangers of AI-generated fake news for the UK general election
• Webinar recording: How will Artificial Intelligence change accessibility testing?

New research from telecommunications company BT Group has highlighted how technology can play a crucial role in aiding dementia patients - yet many carers don’t have the skills to benefit.

The findings from BT Group, show two-thirds (66%) of people who care for someone with dementia believe technology can enhance the quality of life of those living with the condition.¹

This includes using smartphones for reminders and alarms, managing medication, playing music to calm agitation and keeping connected to friends and family.

However, 40% of carers are unsure how to use technology in their caregiving routines, and 52% feel there isn't enough training to help them use tech in caring for their loved ones.

Learn more about how tech can help with managing dementia

AbilityNet and BT Group are working in partnership to help improve the digital skills of older and digitally excluded people by providing free digital skills training to support older people (65+ years) in various areas across the UK. Find out how you can access support.

As part of the partnership AbilityNet is hosting a free webinar with the support of BT Group and with guest speakers from Alzheimer's Society and Recreo VR, on Wednesday 10 July, to show how tech can help people with dementia or cognitive disabilities:

Free webinar: Do you or someone you know live with dementia?

Carers and experiences with technology

Full-time carer Rachel Haworth, 53, from Southampton, looks after her mother, Brenda, 89 who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2020 following the death of Brenda’s husband Gerry.

Rachel worked as a professional carer before becoming her mum's primary carer after her condition emerged 10 years ago. She says technology has been transformative for them - not only in supporting daily routines but also leading to improvements in her mum’s condition. 

She said: “I’ve been a carer for older people with all sorts of special requirements and cognitive disabilities for a long time, so I know just how important technology has become in the last decade or so. 
“As a family we’ve gone from a world where everything was pen and paper to one where tech plays a crucial role in our daily lives. 

“We now use tech for basic things like setting up alerts for medication, booking appointments and staying in touch with the carers who support me. They’re simple but they make such a big difference to ensure we’re all on the same page and are essential to helping mum enjoy a good quality of life. 

“My mum also has a tablet now, which she uses to play games, which are great for her mind – she uses messenger as well, which means she can call her grandkids whenever she likes. “The positive change in her over the last year or so has been remarkable – a real turnaround we never thought we’d see. 

“She keeps up with current affairs and remembers names in a way she couldn’t even a year ago.

“Embracing technology isn’t just about convenience; it's about preserving independence and dignity. I’ve seen how tech has given mum a sense of empowerment and connection that I would never have thought possible." 

Watch back our Dementia, AI and simple tech tweaks to help webinar that took place on Wednesday 10 July, to learn about more ideas for tech that can make a difference to people with dementia:

Watch the webinar

Tech issues for carers at home

The BT Group study also looked into what’s stopping people from using technology in their caregiving routine.

It found 43% of carers believe they lack the skills required to use tech for caregiving and nearly a third (32%) feel overwhelmed by how to use it.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “Technology holds so much potential to enhance the lives of older people and those living with dementia and cognitive disabilities. Yet our research shows getting to grips with tech can be daunting for carers.

“The AbilityNet webinar is part of BT Group’s purpose, We Connect for Good, which aims to tackle the UK's digital divide by empowering people with the knowledge, resources and confidence to live life in the digital world.”

Sarah Brain (pictured), Head of Free Services, AbilityNet, said:

“Technology can be a real ally in dementia care, but if you don’t know what’s out there or how to use it then it’s daunting for carers and those living with dementia. 

“At AbilityNet, we assist older and disabled individuals by providing advice, support, and training with tech. This upcoming webinar on 10 July is an excellent starting point to help carers explore available resources, and see how, together with BT Group, we can empower them with the knowledge and tools they need."

Free tech help for over 65s

If you are over 65, or if you know someone who is over 65 who would like to receive free, in-person or online digital skills advice, we're offering training sessions in locations across the UK including London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the East Coast of Scotland, Newcastle, Cardiff and surrounding areas.

You can choose to set up or attend a group workshop or request a 1:1 session in your home.

Sessions are tailored to individual needs, and cover topics such as:

• learning how to use email
• making video calls
• using online banking and book medical appointmentsusing a smartphone, staying safer online or getting to grips with the internet.

Book your Digital Skills session

References

1. Research from an Opinium poll of 500 adults who provide care for someone with dementia, carried out on behalf of BT Group in June 2024.
2. NHS website

Further resources

Access our Dementia and Technology resources

Workplace training: choose from a selection of online learning options for you and your team

Factsheets: Easy Read versions of free disability and technology factsheets now available

How AbilityNet can Help

• Call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer
• See our database of FREE factsheets
• Access FREE webinars about technology and disability

Integrating accessibility into the design stage of your development life cycle is a game-changer. It ensures that accessibility is woven into the very core of your product, making it a fundamental part rather than an afterthought. This approach also helps to bridge the gap between design and development, reducing conflicts and minimising the need for extensive revisions. It's a win-win for both usability and aesthetic integrity! 

We also find that designing for accessibility leads to innovative solutions that benefit all users, a phenomenon known as the "curb-cut effect." By prioritising accessibility at the design stage, you're opening the door to unexpected innovations that can elevate your product. 

Start with what you as a designer can influence and prioritise accessibility at the design stage. You will start seeing how it can help create meaningful and impactful user experiences for everyone. 

How to Integrate Accessibility into Your Design Process 

Now that we've established the importance of integrating accessibility at the design stage, you might be wondering how to put this into practice. Enter Figma accessibility plugins as an easy starting point – below is a selection of tools that can help you ensure certain aspects of your designs are accessible from the outset.

These plugins offer a range of functionalities, from colour contrast checks to text resizers, enabling you to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also inclusive and accessible. 

Here are 5 different plugins you can start using today. 

Top 5 Figma Accessibility Plugins You Should Be Using 

1. Text Resizer: Text Resizer allows you to easily scale up the base font in your designs to ensure that content and functionality are not lost or overlap with other content. Users should be able to access content and functionality when the text size is increased by 200%. This is particularly important for low-vision users as it can allow them to make content more readable. 
2. Contrast: We like this plugin because, in addition to checking the contrast of text on a solid colour background, it can also check text against gradient backgrounds and background images. It also shows which Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) compliance level your text contrast meets. 
3. A11y - Focus Order: This Microsoft-developed plugin enables designers to specify the exact keyboard navigation sequence for interactive elements, ensuring a logical focus order for users who rely on keyboards or assistive technologies.
4. Colour blind: This plugin lets you view your designs in the 8 different types of colour vision deficiencies. This can help identify parts of your design that rely on colour alone or may be difficult to understand due to low contrast. 
5. Stark - Contrast & Accessibility Tools: Available for Figma and Sketch, Stark offers an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant to help with accessibility. This is a paid plugin but provides a comprehensive suite of tools which are frequently updated and improved based on user feedback. 

What Figma Plugins Can't Do: The Human Touch in Accessibility 

While these plugins are powerful, there are certain areas where manual review and contextual understanding are necessary: 

• Contextual Understanding: Automated tools excel at detecting missing alt text for images, but they fall short in evaluating its quality and appropriateness. Manual review is still required to determine if the alt text accurately conveys the image's purpose and content within the design's context. Is it descriptive enough? Does it provide the right information for users relying on screen readers? These nuanced decisions require human judgment. 
• Logical Content Hierarchy: While plugins can check for the presence of headings in designs, they can't assess if the structure and relationship between headings make logical sense. A manual review ensures that the heading hierarchy accurately reflects the content's structure and importance. This is crucial for users navigating with assistive technologies. 
• ARIA Implementation: Determining the appropriate ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes for custom components often requires human judgment and a deeper understanding of web accessibility and the relevant standards. 
• Dynamic Content Handling: Automated tools cannot fully grasp how to handle content that changes dynamically. For example, they might not detect when new content is added to the screen or how to manage live updates which are crucial for screen readers and other assistive technologies. 
• Cognitive accessibility: Aspects like clear language, consistent navigation, and predictable interactions are difficult for automated tools to assess. We believe a manual review is crucial to ensure designs don't impede users with cognitive disabilities. 

By integrating accessibility at the design stage, you not only create more inclusive products but also inspire innovative solutions that benefit all users. Make accessibility a priority from the start, leverage the power of Figma plugins, and complement these tools with human insight to create truly accessible and impactful designs. 

Enhance Your Accessibility Knowledge 

For more insights on designing for accessibility, join our Accessibility for Designers training (individual and team options are available) or speak to us about our manual design review service to fill in any gaps that the tools are unable to check. Let's make every design accessible and impactful for all users. 

Watch a snippet of our Accessibility for Designers training on Accessibility requirements for web orientation:

Do you or someone you know live with dementia?

Join us for a FREE webinar packed with inspiring stories and practical tools on how tech and digital devices can help if you or someone you know has dementia.

On Wednesday, 10 July 2024, from 1-2pm BST, we'll be joined by AbilityNet's Disability Consultant, Alex Barker, and special guests from Alzheimer's Society, and Recreo VR to share their expert insights.

In the webinar, we will:

• Find out about digital tools that can help you manage daily life with dementia
• Learn how the Alzheimer's Society has been working with Recreo VR on a groundbreaking project to boost the wellbeing of people with dementia
• Share how AbilityNet and BT Group can help you and those you know with dementia with their tech, for free

Watch the webinar playback

All those who register for the session will receive the recording after broadcast, so do sign up even if you can't make it on the day.

Bring a friend, relative or client

Offering this free webinar is one of the ways in which we're trying to help bridge the digital divide, so to reach more people you could both sign up for yourself but also bring along a community group to learn together and share the advice.

If you work in an organisation with clients who could benefit from learning about the digital world, please do share this session and encourage them to sign up or show them how the Zoom webinar process works. It's also a great session for organisations who provide digital inclusion support to service users. 

Watch the webinar playback

AbilityNet is working with BT Group to support people 65+ with getting online and using technology, such as:

- learning how to use email
- make video calls
- use online banking and book medical appointments

Sign up for Free BT Digital Skills sessions for people over 65 in your area. (Available to people in and around London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff.)

Further resources

Factsheets: Easy Read versions of free disability and technology factsheets now available

Access our Dementia and Technology resources

Workplace training: choose from a selection of online learning options for you and your team

How AbilityNet can Help

• Call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer
• See our database of FREE factsheets
• Access FREE webinars about technology and disability

Home phone services across the UK are changing – from older, less reliable copper wires to the newer fibre phone service. That’s why Virgin Media, alongside the whole industry, is updating its home phone services for all customers to make sure they are fit for the future. This is collectively known as ‘the digital voice switchover’. This means home phones will be plugged directly into WiFi Hubs. 

Digital Voice Switchover may also be referred to as ‘fibre phone line’, ‘fibre home phone service’, ‘digital voice’ or ‘IP voice’.

Find out more about Virgin Media's Digital Voice Switchover.

Rolling out Digital Voice

Virgin Media is switching customers over to its fibre phone network gradually, so when it is time to switch, customers will be contacted in lots of different ways, including via post and email.

Virgin Media urges customers to be alert to its messages so they don’t mistake these important comms for marketing messages.

The rollout of Digital Voice will also see Virgin Media reach out to its home phone customers to invite them to switch over voluntarily. Any customer who confirms they aren’t vulnerable – and don’t have any telecare or lifeline devices, like care or pendant alarms – will switch first, with extra support provided for those who need it.

If you’re a Virgin Media customer, it's important to let Virgin Media know if…

• You have a telehealth device (like a care alarm, fall alarm or fall pendant) connected to your copper home phone line 
• You live in an area without mobile signal
• You don’t have access to a mobile phone
• Anyone in your household is disabled, has an impairment, or has other accessibility needs

Extra support during the switchover will be available for customers noted above.

What to expect during the switch over

• Depending on what support is needed, customers will either be offered an engineer visit who will handle the switch over or will be sent an adaptor so that they can manage the digital landline switchover themselves, with all the information needed to swap their services.
• Basic phone handsets (either corded phones or cordless DECT phones) are expected to work with the new fibre phone line – however, some customers that have more complex connected devices, such as telehealth devices (like a care alarm, fall alarm or fall pendant) should contact device providers to ensure compatibility.

What customers need to know after the switch over 

• Home phone services will be supplied over the broadband network and will need electricity to work, unlike the existing copper phone line. Home phone services will not work if the WiFi Hub and/or WiFi is switched off – so it’s important customers always leave this on. 
• For customers who are handling the migration themselves, home phones won’t work until the adaptor has been connected to the phone and Hub. Customers need to look out for communications from Virgin Media on which date to do this.
• Disabled customers, people with a long-term illness or accessibility needs that means they rely on their home phone, and customers without access to a mobile phone can get an Emergency Backup Line, at no extra cost. They should reach out to Virgin Media right away to let it know about their situation. 
• In the unlikely event there’s a power cut or a network disruption, customers won’t be able to make or receive calls on their home phone. Virgin Media always recommends having a mobile phone handy – or will provide an Emergency Back Up Line, which will work in a power cut, to those who need it.
• The Emergency Back Up Line will allow customers to make voice calls, but won’t back up anything else plugged into the phone line. If you rely on a care alarm or pendant, for example, please check with your alarm provider that this has its own back up (eg SIM card) and can work independently in a power cut. 

Free webinar: Dementia, AI and simple tech tweaks to help - with Alzheimer's Society

How AbilityNet can help you with tech for free

If you're over 65 years of age and looking to build your skills, AbilityNet offers free digital skills sessions in areas in and around London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff. We can also help you if you live outside these areas - contact us for support.

Trainers can build something bespoke for your group or for an individual and run sessions including:

• Getting to know your Smartphone or Tablet
• Staying Safer Online
• Getting started with Email
• Using Social Media, e.g. Facebook
• Online entertainment, e.g. watching TV online
• How to access Public Services e.g. Gov.UK
• How to make a video call
• How to manage your health online
• How to bank online

Book a free session

How AbilityNet can help

• Call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer
• See our database of FREE factsheets
• Access FREE webinars about technology and disability

As the UK approaches its next general election, the air is thick with political discourse, campaign promises, and, in some cases, misinformation. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced a new dimension to the creation and dissemination of fake news, posing significant threats to democratic processes. AI-generated fake news can spread rapidly and convincingly, making it increasingly difficult for the public to discern truth from fiction.

The Rise of AI-Generated Fake News

Generative AI, particularly advanced models like OpenAI's GPT-4, Google’s Gemini or Amazon’s Claude have made it possible to create highly sophisticated images and even videos that could be used in fake news.

These AI systems can produce text that is coherent, contextually relevant, and tailored to specific audiences. This capability has been exploited to craft fake news that can influence public opinion and electoral outcomes.

A notable example of AI-generated misinformation occurred in the United States during the 2020 presidential election. AI was used to create deepfake videos and false narratives that were disseminated across social media platforms, causing confusion and distrust. Similarly, in India, AI-generated fake news has been used to incite unrest and further spread distrust, illustrating the global nature of this threat.
 

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The Impact on the UK General Election

In the UK, the potential for AI-generated fake news to disrupt the electoral process shouldn’t be discounted. As political parties ramp up their campaigns, the risk of malicious actors using AI to generate and spread fake news increases. These actors may aim to manipulate public opinion, discredit political opponents, or create division among voters.

Fake news can take many forms, from fabricated stories about candidates to manipulated images and videos. For instance, an AI-generated deepfake video of a political leader making controversial statements could go viral, swaying public perception and potentially affecting the election outcome. Additionally, AI can be used to create convincing fake articles that appear to be from reputable news sources, further muddying the waters.

The implications for Disabled People

People with disabilities often face unique challenges that can make them more vulnerable to scams and fake news. For example:

• Many disabled people or those with impairments are older and may be less digitally-‘street-wise’ – being less aware of the malpractices rife throughout the digital world.
• People with cognitive impairments may find it more difficult to critically evaluate information. This may increase their susceptibility to fake news and scams.
• People with a vision impairment may not be able to spot flaws in AI-generated fakes.
• Social isolation can make disabled individuals more likely to engage with online content, including fake news, as a way to connect with the world.

Thus the disabled community may find themselves at particular risk. 

Given the sophisticated nature of AI-generated fake news, traditional fact-checking methods are often insufficient. This is where innovative solutions like Ask Silver come into play.

Introducing Ask Silver

Ask Silver (www.ask-silver.com) is a service designed to help users navigate the complex landscape of misinformation. It offers several features that can be particularly effective in combating AI-generated fake news:

1. Warning About Known Scams or Fake News: Ask Silver keeps an updated database of known scams and fake news stories. Users can access this information to stay informed about the latest threats and avoid falling victim to them.
2. Screenshot Submission: If users come across suspicious content, they can submit screenshots to Ask Silver for analysis. The service leverages advanced AI and human expertise to determine the authenticity of the content and provide feedback to the user.
3. Educational Resources: Ask Silver provides resources to educate users about the signs of fake news and scams, empowering them to make informed decisions and recognize misinformation.
4. Ask Silver may be particularly beneficial for disabled people by providing a reliable source of information and tools to verify the authenticity of content. The ability to submit screenshots for analysis can be a valuable resource for those who may struggle to assess the credibility of information on their own.

Initiatives to help combat the risks of AI

As the UK general election approaches, the possibility of AI-generated fake news looms large. The ability of AI to create convincing and rapid-spreading misinformation poses a significant risk to the democratic process. 

For disabled people, who may be particularly vulnerable to misinformation, initiatives such as Ask Silver provide invaluable services that can help protect them from the dangers of fake news and scams.

As we navigate this complex digital age, leveraging such innovative solutions is crucial to maintaining the integrity of our electoral processes and safeguarding everyone – and in-particular our most vulnerable groups - from the perils of fake news

How to report fake news or scams

There are other methods by which you can report fake news or potential scams.

Reporting Fake News

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

• Phishing Emails: Suspicious emails can be forwarded to the NCSC’s reporting service at report@phishing.gov.uk.
• Online Reporting Tool: The NCSC provides an online tool to report cyber incidents, including those involving fake news, through their official website.

Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB)

• Fraud and Cyber Crime: Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Individuals can report scams, including those spread through fake news, by visiting the Action Fraud website or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Ofcom

• Broadcast and Online Content: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) regulates the content of TV, radio, and video-on-demand services. Complaints about misinformation in these media can be submitted through the Ofcom website.

Reporting Scams

Action Fraud

• General Scams: As mentioned, Action Fraud is the main body for reporting scams. Reports can be made online or by phone.

Citizens Advice

• Scams and Consumer Issues: Citizens Advice offers a helpline (0808 223 1133) and an online reporting tool for scams and consumer issues. Their Scams Action service provides guidance and support.

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

• The ICO handles data protection and privacy issues, which can intersect with fake news and scams, particularly those involving data breaches and misuse of personal information.

Further resources

• Get user research and audits advice
• Join our free training courses and free webinars on digital accessibility inclusion.
• Help disabled and older people in your community: Become an AbilityNet volunteer
• Learn about our free resources
• Sign up to our newsletter to find out about our upcoming webinars and events

Navigating the digital world can be overwhelming, especially if you're unsure about searching for information online, which websites are trustworthy, or understanding your digital device.

If you're 65 years old or over, live in London, and are eager to improve your digital skills, AbilityNet can help!

Join AbilityNet in partnership with BT Group for free Senior Skills Sessions in Central London.

Expert Digital Skills Trainer, Steve Mersereau, will be your guide at these engaging sessions. 

What can I expect during the sessions?

The sessions are designed to address any tech concerns you might have, and empower you with the skills needed to navigate the digital world with confidence

Our trainer is dedicated to providing personalised assistance, answering any questions you may have, and helping you become more comfortable with your digital device and the online world.

Where and when are the sessions being held?

Join the free digital skills sessions at AbilityNet London office:

Friday 28th June, 13:00 – 15:00 - An Introduction to the Internet
Friday 5th July, 13:00 – 15.00 - An Introduction to Smart phones and Tablets
Friday 12th July, 13:00 – 15:00 - How to Stay Safer Online

AbilityNet London office address: 5-11 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2BH

Closest train station (15 minute walk): Liverpool Street Station - All Elizabeth Line stations are step-free from station to platform.

Closest underground station (7 minute walk): Moorgate

Google Map of AbilityNet's London office

Free webinar: Dementia, AI and simple tech tweaks to help - with Alzheimer's Society

Watch back our inspiring webinar from 10 July 2024 which shared how technology, including AI, can provide a helping hand to people with dementia or cognitive disabilities.

In this free webinar, expert speakers from AbilityNet were joined by guest speakers from Alzheimer's Society and Recreo VR, to offer their advice for navigating the digital world with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or cognitive issues.


Watch the webinar playback

How do I book my place?

Email digitalskills@abilitynet.org.uk with your name and phone number and our team will be in touch to confirm your place.

You can also call our helpline on 0300 180 0028* during UK office hours to register.

I don't live in London, how can I get digital skills help?

If you're over 65 years of age and looking to build your skills, we offer free digital skills sessions in areas in and around London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff. 

Trainers can build something bespoke for your group or for an individual and run sessions including:

• Getting to know your Smartphone or Tablet
• Staying Safer Online
• Getting started with Email
• Using Social Media, e.g. Facebook
• Online entertainment, e.g. watching TV online
• How to access Public Services e.g. Gov.UK
• How to make a video call
• How to manage your health online
• How to bank online

Book a free session

How AbilityNet can help

• Call AbilityNet's helpline on 0300 180 0028
• Blog: Everything you need to know about Digital Voice
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer
• See our database of FREE factsheets
• Access FREE webinars about technology and disability

*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