KeyRing is a charity that provides social care support in England. Learn more about how AbilityNet and BT Group's partnership has been helping people who are supported by Keyring to access and use digital devices. 

By Michelle Lloyd, Practice Development Lead at KeyRing

I have always been really interested in technology. I love being able to access information and services whatever the time of day, be it checking my bank account before ordering far too much stuff I don’t need off Amazon, researching holidays, or streaming my favourite shows whilst lying on the sofa with a glass of wine (I make no apologies for this).

I have never taken a formal course in using a computer and have never been interested in doing so. I have, though, always appreciated the opportunities that being connected has brought me, and saw the potential of using technology to make my life easier and far more fun.

Tech for connecting with friends and relatives

When my friend moved to Australia, Facebook was the way we kept in touch, sharing photos and stories of our children growing up. Video calling made it possible for us to still feel connected and my children able to see parts of the world that they only dreamed of.

My sister's wedding 10 years ago brought much joy (and stress) and being part of a WhatsApp group for the hen party planning, and joining in conversations with friends far and wide, meant we were all part of the experience and could share the planning load (and fun, of course!).  

WhatsApp groups are a staple part of my life now with the names of the various groups bringing hilarity and sometimes awkwardness when the message goes to the wrong group (we have all been there, haven’t we?).

Imagine a life without tech

I can't imagine a time when these interactions with technology would not be available to me. I can’t imagine not comparing prices whilst looking for the best deals, not researching locations for the best spots when booking a holiday or using google maps to show me how to get from A to B both at work and at home.

I certainly can't imagine my life without technology, can you?

Free webinar: How to stay safer online

Addressing isolation with tech

Sadly, this is not the experience of the people we support at KeyRing, in the main. Covid brought isolation and loneliness to those we supported, who were already struggling to make and maintain connections with friends and family.  

Routines were disrupted after places they regularly went to for these connections closed down and all support in person was stopped. Those with health conditions were forced to isolate themselves for months on end with no clear end in sight.  People's mental health and wellbeing suffered, and as an organisation we had to look at how we continued to offer support when we could no longer go into KeyRing Members' properties.

Before Covid we had no real clear picture of the digital needs and abilities of Members around the country. We had no clear picture of who was accessing technology and using it in their daily lives.

An opportunity arose in the summer of 2020 through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, to work alongside like-minded organisations who were also struggling with the question of how they continued to offer support during lockdown to those most in need of that connection. The fund aimed to reduce isolation and loneliness and was funded initially for 6 months. This really kickstarted our digital journey.

Alexa and more helps KeyRing clients

AbilityNet and BT Group accelerated our journey to develop the digital skills of older and disabled people across the UK, as more than 350 of KeyRing's Members benefited from receiving gifted with digital devices, which they were then supported to learn how to use via digital skills workshops. 

This video shows how some of KeyRing's clients have been supported with their digital needs via the AbilityNet and BT Group partnership:

Learn more about AbilityNet's activities to boost digital confidence of KeyRing's clients.

Highlighting accessibility settings

KeyRing Members really appreciated having an AbilityNet trainer there who could answer their individual questions and queries. 

Staying safer online sessions were also really well received, alongside training on the basics of how to use the devices. Due to Members' cognitive, physical and sensory difficulties, discussing accessibility settings and adjustments on their devices was also an important part of the sessions.

Support is still needed 

The AbilityNet and BT Group partnership project has really enabled us to scale up our digital programme and ensure that Members are supported to use their devices. Training and support is vital to ensure that Members use their devices to support their independence.

Being able to call upon AbilityNet volunteers to go into Members' homes, come to hubs and create video content, has enabled us to gather those success stories and highlight the difference our digital inclusion programme is making to people's lives.  

We are a national organisation but are under resourced and under funded, so having help and support from the AbilityNet and BT Group Partnership has been a lifeline for us. I know the difference that the programme makes to KeyRing Members - the stories I hear from around the country inspire and motivate me.

How can I get digital skills help?

Build your skills at free digital skills sessions for older people and disabled people across specific UK regions.

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

Attend a free session

Broaden your audience

Even if your website is accessible there are millions of people that don't have the skills to use it.

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

*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

Pankaj Bhasin, one of our team of 500+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers, is this month celebrating 15 amazing years with us volunteering his time to help others.

We're thrilled to present Pankaj, pictured, with a Long Service Award for his support as an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer in North London.

Pankaj has helped hundreds of older or disabled people in his area to use technology and complete online tasks, as part of the volunteer network within our free IT Support service.

Thinking back on his time so far with AbilityNet, Pankaj noted:

"I was delighted to receive and would like to express my sincere gratitude for the Long Service Achievement Award. It’s truly an honour to be recognised for my time and contributions, and I deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness behind this gesture.

Volunteering with AbilityNet for over 15 years has been both rewarding and inspiring. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with dedicated colleagues and contributing to meaningful work that makes a difference. This recognition is a lovely reminder of that journey."

Learn more about how Pankaj has helped clients in his area and how volunteers around the UK have been supporting people with tech.

Need help with your digital device?

Our volunteers are able to help with most computer systems, laptops, tablets, smartphones and other smart devices such as Smart TVs, Alexa speakers and Google Home devices.

All are DBS checked and can assist you by phone, over the internet or at home. They offer one to one support tailored to you, at your pace.

In addition to help provided by our network of volunteers, get digital skills support in your area via our partnership with BT Group.

Free webinar: How to stay safer online

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 1pm GMT

Join AbilityNet's experts to learn about common scams and how to spot them. Find out about the best habits to adopt for your security and ways to stay alert to sophisticated online scams.

Register for the webinar

Why volunteer with AbilityNet?

"So rewarding, doing what I love and seeing people benefit, sometimes life changing, sometimes just making a client's life a bit easier, a bit more fun, a bit less isolated."

Could you dedicate any time to helping older or disabled people in your community? 

We're always keen to welcome new tech volunteers so if you're reading this and would like to get involved, please get in contact.

Become an AbilityNet volunteer

How AbilityNet can help

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

• Call our helpline: 0300 180 0028
• We have a range of factsheets that talk in detail about technology that might help you, which you can download for free. You may find our factsheets about voice recognition and keyboard alternatives useful.
• My Computer My Way. A free interactive guide to all the accessibility features built into current desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
• Meet AbilityNet volunteers from across the UK

AbilityNet and telecommunications company BT Group has announced the expansion of its partnership, which has been operating since 2023 to support older people and disabled adults with digital skills across the UK.

Now entering its third phase, the partnership is expanding its reach across new regions in the UK, including Northern Ireland.

During phase three, the partnership will continue its ongoing outreach activities including national awareness-raising campaigns and free digital skills online webinars. A new Disability Specialist Trainer has also joined the team to support the project's goals, providing digital skills training for disabled adults and over 65s, covering areas from Birmingham through to North London.

Phase two huge successes

As our recently released Phase 2 Impact Report reveals, from August 2024 to August 2025, the partnership supported just shy of 10, 000 new learners, delivering more than ever to improve digital inclusion across the UK.

This has been achieved through in person and online support, driving greater results and deeper impact.

During Phase 2, the partnership delivered both in-person and online support to engage disabled adults and individuals aged 65 and over with the digital world:

• 1,981 one-to-one and group in person digital skills sessions
• 15 modules of training created
• 8,416 individual training modules completed
• 8 bitesize videos created
• 3,883 views of bitesize training videos
• 22 webinar sessions covering 17 different topics
• 3,916 webinar attendees
• 3,436 watch backs of webinar sessions
• 65 Digital Voice roadshows staffed
• 1,277 conversations with older people at roadshows

In Phase 2, we also delivered a series of knowledge-sharing webinars led by the AbilityNet team alongside guest speakers. Access the free webinar recordings:

• Saving money - with the Department for Work and Pensions 
• Tech tips for hearing loss 
• Travel made easy
• Seasonal scams - with celebrity speaker Linda Robson

Learn about the story so far

Positive impact on thousands

Basic digital skills are now increasingly important for day-to-day life. People who are less familiar with digital devices risk losing access to key services like banking, shopping and health services, as well as apps and platforms that keep people connected.

Sarah Brain (pictured), Head of Free Services at AbilityNet says of the partnership as it enters into its third phase:

"Over the course of the partnership we have been able to support more than 14,850 older individuals and disabled adults by sharing digital skills knowledge and advice. We're excited to continue our work to enable us to help more people with lower digital skills, via the generous support of BT Group.

We've been able to have such a positive impact on so many people who benefit from developing basic digital skills such as using email, or downloading an app - things that many of us can take for granted in an increasingly digital world. This partnership is helping to delete the digital divide in the communities we're currently supporting."

Rich Marsh, Director of  Responsible Business at BT Group, adds: "It's been terrific to work with AbilityNet on the journey so far, and I'm very excited about the year ahead where we'll look to grow that impact further."

Get digital skills support across the UK

"Excellent training which is definitely required for those not up to speed with the digital world.” - Digital Skills session attendee

AbilityNet's friendly team of Digital Skills trainers can provide free digital skills training to support older people (65+ years) and to disabled adults, in multiple areas across the UK. Learn how to do online shopping, send and receive emails, use apps and more.

(For free digital skills support outside of these areas, please call AbilityNet's tech helpline: 0300 180 0028 Monday to Friday, or contact us online.)

Book your support session

Free webinar: Online banking for beginners

Wednesday 10 June 2026, 1pm GMT

Join AbilityNet's experts to learn how online banking works and what you can safely do, such as checking your balance, paying bills and moving money. 

Register for the webinar

How AbilityNet can help

• Call AbilityNet's Helpline on 0300 180 0028
• Request help from an AbilityNet volunteer
• See our database of FREE factsheets

Broaden your audience

Among the headline results from AbilityNet's Attitudes to Digital Accessibility survey 2025, responses indicate the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has had little impact on the accessibility measures so far, of businesses that are within scope of the legislation.

Other results include that legal risks continue to be the biggest motivator for delivering digital accessibility, and that staff at all levels still need mandatory digital accessibility training to aid successful delivery.

What did the survey ask about?

During July, August and September 2025, 507 digital professionals from across the globe completed AbilityNet's fifth annual global Attitudes to Digital Accessibility survey.

Their responses help all organisations to understand the digital accessibility landscape and their position within it, and how digital accessibility is changing across sectors.

The survey questions highlighted five key topics: 

1. Confidence in, understanding of, and prioritising digital accessibility  
2. Delivering digital accessibility – motivations, barriers, and approaches 
3. Impact of the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
4. Careers and training  
5. Artificial Intelligence 

Get your copy of this year's Attitudes to Digital Accessibility report (summary PDF and detailed Word versions available):

Download the 2025 report 

Analysis of the results uncovered 8 headline findings:

1. Individual accessibility confidence is high, but doubt lingers over organisational ability

One of the key results the survey outlined is that individuals are overwhelmingly confident with their digital accessibility knowledge, but do not believe their organisations have the same confidence. 

Over 7 in 10 of respondents felt they were either extremely or quite confident, compared to just over 1 in 4 who believe the same for their organisation. 

The more senior respondents were, the more they felt their organisation was confident in its understanding of digital accessibility. 71% of executive-level respondents felt their organisation was ‘extremely’ or ‘quite confident’ in its understanding of digital accessibility. This dropped to 34% for senior leaders, 21% for managers, and 21% for non-managerial roles.

The bar chart shown here outlines individual confidence in understanding of digital accessibility, and respondent's perception of their organisation's confidence. The pattern shows that individual confidence is much higher than how those same individuals perceive their organisation's confidence.

2. Legal risk is top driver for action

Meeting legal requirements remains the most significant motivator for delivering digital accessibility at 73% (72% in 2024).

Inclusivity and improving client experience were the next most significant motivators.  

3. EAA has so far had little impact

For those who believe the European Accessibility Act affects them, the act coming into force had little impact. When asked what impact the implementation had, the most popular response at 45% was ‘nothing has changed’.

The other potential positive impacts were much lower in response rate. This is despite 78% reporting preparing for the implementation in some way. 

This could imply that the EAA is not currently an effective enough piece of legislation, or that the enforcement of the act is not clear enough to appropriately motivate. It could be that, as a newly enforced act, without the creation of practical examples through case law, the EAA is currently not effective.

At the time of the survey the EAA has only been in force for 1-3 months, and there is no case law to set precedent that would help clarify the practical requirements of the act. Responses from next year’s 2026 survey responses will hopefully illuminate how effective is the EAA, with case law to contextualise its practical applications.

4. Competing priorities are affecting accessibility progress

For 1 in 2 respondents (53%), 'competing priorities' is a barrier to delivering digital accessibility, making it the most prominent barrier to delivering digital accessibility. Overwhelmingly, respondents are telling us that organisations do not understand and therefore value and prioritise digital accessibility work. 

Senior roles perceive digital accessibility as a higher priority for leadership than less senior roles. Non-managerial roles and managers mostly think digital accessibility is ‘neither high nor low priority’ for leadership. Whereas senior leaders, executives, and board members mostly think digital accessibility is a ‘high priority’. 

5. AI is both helping and hindering

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating and solving the same digital accessibility problems.

The 2025 findings show that some respondents note that AI helps with creating accessible content, checking accessibility, and gaining knowledge about accessibility.

Other respondents told us AI creates inaccessible content, is not accurate in checking for accessibility, and provides false information around digital accessibility. 

6. Accessibility is not being embedded enough

Digital accessibility is still not being embedded enough into work streams, processes, and company cultures.

The report shows that 55% of respondents have accessibility embedded into the development process – which is positive.

However, lack of knowledge on delivering digital accessibility was the third biggest barrier to delivery and embedding digital inclusion was a leading wish for respondents when asked what would improve accessibility within their organisation. 

7. Mandatory accessibility training is needed

Staff at all levels still need mandatory training and knowledge development to support successful delivery. Despite digital accessibility training being one of the most common learning opportunities, lack of internal skills or experience was the third most prominent barrier to digital accessibility delivery.

Mandatory training and training during onboarding were frequently cited as needed to improve digital accessibility within organisations. 

8. Accessibility career top 3 enablers identified

Training, senior support, and accreditations were the top three enablers respondents felt were most valuable to progress into a digital accessibility career.

Reflecting this, training and senior buy in were the top changes respondents felt they needed to improve digital accessibility delivery in their organisations. 

Alladin Elteira from JP Morgan provided his commentary on the findings about best practices for careers in accessibility. Also included in the report are reactions to the findings from leading digital accessibility professionals from Aviva, NatWest and Edge Hill University.

Read the full 2025 report

Get your copy of this year's Attitudes to Digital Accessibility report (summary PDF and detailed Word versions available):

Download the 2025 report 

Get started with embedding digital accessibility best practices:

Whether we’re quite ready for it or not, artificial intelligence is already shaping how we live, work and learn. And for disabled people in particular, tools such as ChatGPT are proving genuinely transformative. They can simplify online tasks, explain complex ideas in plain language, and act as a kind of endlessly patient expert assistant - or even companion.

For people who may find digital content inaccessible - whether due to vision, motor, cognitive or learning differences - the impact can be remarkable. Tasks that once required specialist software, painstaking manual effort, or someone else’s assistance can now be completed simply by typing or speaking a few sentences.

Many of us have realised how massively helpful AI can be, and find ourselves using it on a daily basis both at home and at work. Even if you’ve provided employees with access to Microsoft Copilot (a secure but expensive option that ensures that all chats and business data is kept private), chances are your employees will also be using the likes of ChatGPT on the side.

Block it on work machines, and they’ll just use it on their phones. So while some organisations are still deciding how to “manage” the arrival of AI in the workplace, it’s probably fair to say that use of tools like ChatGPT is inevitable.

The real question, then, is not if people will use it, but how they can do so safely, confidently and to best effect.

Free webinar playbacks

Everyday and workplace transformations

ChatGPT is perhaps best known as a writing assistant - helping to draft letters, summarise reports or translate complex information into something more digestible. But its value for disabled users runs far deeper.

For example, someone with sight loss might ask it to describe a complex chart, graphic or spreadsheet. A person with dyslexia could ask for information to be reworded in shorter sentences or simpler language, or to check their written text for errors or flow. Someone with a motor impairment might use it to compose and edit text by voice, or to automate repetitive written tasks.

AI can also serve as a safe, non-judgemental companion for exploring sensitive subjects such as health, benefits or personal wellbeing – topics that can be stressful or inaccessible to research alone.

Free webinar: Digital help for carers: what’s out there and how to use it (including AI tools) - with Carers UK

This webinar is supported by our partnership with BT Group, to enhance the digital skills of older people.

Avoiding the pitfalls

The most important thing to remember is that ChatGPT, clever as it is, doesn’t actually know anything in the way humans do. It predicts what words should come next, based on patterns it’s learned from huge amounts of data. Most of the time this produces strikingly accurate and fulsome results, but often it still gets things confidently and catastrophically wrong - what’s often called a “hallucination”.

How many of us routinely and conscientiously follow up the sources cited in ChatGPT’s responses to ensure that everything generated is correct and up-to-date? Not many of us. But there are some tricks you can use to help maximise accuracy and minimise hallucinations. 

Make sure it uses the best information when building its response. I’m sure you know that you can upload documents of your own, but you can also say things like, “Please only use authoritative, reputable sources when doing your research” - and don’t forget that you can tell it to undertake ‘Deep research’ (in that drop-down menu by the text box) where it will take a lot longer before coming back with a more thoroughly thought-through response.

You can also ask it to check its work (“Are you sure about that?” or “Please explain where you found this information”) or to show the reasoning behind its answer (“List the steps you used to arrive at that conclusion”). 

Having said the above I need to stress, however, that it’s still important to check any facts yourself - particularly if you’re relying on them for health, financial or business-critical tasks.
Another common pitfall is neglecting due diligence on data privacy. It’s easy to forget that anything you type in could, in theory, end up being stored or analysed to improve future models. That’s why it’s important to know your way around ChatGPT’s settings – something you only get access to once you create an account.

The power of personalisation

Once you’ve created a free ChatGPT account, you can access the all-important Settings area. These settings are, of course, also available in paid tiers, but many more of us may still be using it informally and (in the case of the workplace) unofficially. 

Here, under Data Controls, you can choose not to share your data to help train future models – a sensible precaution if you’re entering anything sensitive or work-related.

Equally important is the option to tell ChatGPT a bit about yourself and how you’d like it to respond. This can go a long way to giving you the output style and format you prefer (for example, “Always use UK spelling and avoid American turns of phrase”), but can also  make a huge difference for accessibility. You might, for instance, add:

• “I am blind, so please describe any visual content in full detail.”
• “Please use simple, clear language as I have a learning difficulty.”
• “I use speech recognition, so asking me follow-up questions in a way that I can say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to, or choose a numbered item, is preferred.”

Once saved, these preferences will automatically shape how ChatGPT responds in all future chats.

Having an account also brings another major advantage - the ability to revisit your previous conversations. This means you can return to earlier work, refine it over time, or simply remind yourself how you arrived at a particular idea. For anyone juggling multiple tasks or coping with memory or attention difficulties, that alone can be a game-changer.

Taking charge of your AI assistant

It’s tempting to see ChatGPT as a kind of magic box that simply “does things” for you. But the real power lies in how you use it. The clearer your requests, the better it performs. Be conversational but specific, and don’t be afraid to refine your prompts. The best users treat ChatGPT like a knowledgeable but occasionally overconfident colleague; one whose ideas can be brilliant, but still need a quick fact/sanity-check before sending anything out the door.

For disabled people, though, this technology represents something even more profound. It’s a powerful ‘leveller’ - a way of working, learning and expressing ourselves that reduces many of the barriers built into the digital world. Whether it’s helping you write a policy, understand a medical form, or simply explore a new topic without fear of judgement, AI has the potential to make life fairer and more inclusive.

The key, as ever, is awareness. Understanding its limits, protecting your data, and setting it up to work for you will ensure that tools like ChatGPT remain exactly what they should be – powerful assistants that amplify human capability rather than replace it.

Email is now a daily method of communication. It is an easy and fast way to communicate with someone but when you are speedily sending off an email, are you making sure your emails are accessible for your receiver?  

People read emails in different ways, on different devices and sometimes with assistive technologies. For example, blind people may read emails using a screen reader to navigate through your email via a smartphone's speech output. 

Wouldn't it be a good idea to remember to make your emails accessible for everyone? Especially when emails can be easily forwarded and widely shared with many people. We’ve compiled some top tips on how to make sure your next email is accessible.  

1. Subject lines matter 

It’s important to ensure that you make your subject lines are relevant to the email content. This can make it useful for someone using a screen reader as this is the first thing they ‘hear’, so you want to ensure the email is worth reading.  

2. Add structure to your emails with headers 

Descriptive semantic heading styles can break up your emails and can help reduce the size of larger paragraphs. Correctly marked-up headings can help users to scan emails both visually and when using assistive technology. They make it easier for users of assistive technology to read and navigate through your content – for example, screen reader users can call up a list of headings and use it to quickly navigate to sections of interest.  

For email marketing platforms, use the built-in heading functions.

3. Accessible fonts and formats 

Using an inaccessible font can slow your receiver from reading your message, for example, they might need to enlarge your email because the size is too small or copy and paste your message into a word document and change the font because it has poor readability. 

Serif fonts such as Times New Roman, Garamond, and Georgia can sometimes be difficult to read for someone with a vision impairment. So, when typing up your emails, select sans serif fonts such as Arial or Calibri. These fonts are also widely recognised by most devices and are more likely to send and appear on screen for your receiver, compared to unique customisable downloaded fonts from the internet.  

Your text also needs to be large enough so all users can access it easily. We recommend 14pt at a minimum. 

4. Avoid using all capital letters and excessive italics or underlines 

Writing in all capital letters and italic letters can sometimes be difficult to read and difficult to understand the meaning behind the text. Readability is reduced with all caps because all words have a uniform rectangular shape meaning readers may find it challenging to identify words by their shape.   

It’s also best to stick to using underlined words only for your hyperlinked text, this can be particularly useful for those who are colourblind know that the text is linked. 

5. Contrasting colours for backgrounds and text 

Some colours might look nice but don't work in terms of readability for visually impaired users. Ensure there is sufficient colour contrast between the foreground text and the background colour such as using dark text on light backgrounds (or vice versa). Using contrast checkers can help, 

6. Meaningful link text 

Descriptive links help all users especially those using screen readers understand where a link will take them.

Avoid labelling a hyperlink with phrases such as "click here", “see this page” and “go here” in your emails. Links should convey clear and accurate information about the destination so it should say “Download our guide”. 

If there is also an option to include a ‘link title’, this helps people who use their cursor to hover over the link to find out more information about the link.  It also helps to avoid using the same link text for different destinations.

7. Images and alt text  

If you’re including images in your emails, make sure you add descriptive alternative text to your image. Not all users can see the image. Disabled receivers of your emails may be using assistive technology like screen readers or other text-to-speech software which will read the alt text instead of the image. There are other situations when the alt text is used too, for example, if a user has images turned off then they will see the alt text instead of the image. 

Learn more about alt text in our blog. 

8. Clear and inclusive language  

When writing your email, make sure to use clear simple language so everyone can understand. Use shorter sentences that are concise. Avoid using jargon and abbreviations or explain any terms or abbreviations that may be unfamiliar when they are first used. 

Providing a clear summary may also help users with cognitive impairments which affect reading and may also be helpful to screen reader and screen magnification users to help them get to important information quickly. 

9. Preview and Test Before Sending

Before sending your email campaign, always preview and test it to ensure accessibility. Use your platform’s built-in preview and test email features to catch layout or readability issues.

Try navigating through the email using only your keyboard, using the Tab key to confirm that all interactive elements are accessible without a mouse.

If you don't use a screenreader you could try to simulate it by using the tools built into your system. Better still, ask someone who relies on assistive technology to review the email.

These steps help ensure your message is inclusive and functional for all users.

Further Resources

• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Explore the many workplace services that AbilityNet offer to help you embed accessibility in your working practices 
• Discover more accessibility and inclusive design training for Content and Designers
• Find out about AbilityNet's free live webinars
• Unsure where to start with digital accessibility? Speak to our experts for help

Get Online Week, taking place from 20 - 26 October 2025, helps raise awareness of the benefits of getting online, and highlights that there are many digitally excluded people who are disconnected due to lack of access or skills.

As a charity that strives to ensure and promote digital inclusion in all we do, AbilityNet is thrilled to be a digital ambassador for Get Online Week, which is now in its 18th year! 

Ideas and events to boost digital skills

Get Online Week has a target of reaching 28,000 digitally excluded people to help them understand and experience how getting online can help them become happier, healthier and better off.

This year, we’re asking you to #ShareOneThing you're doing to help shine a light on the importance of digital inclusion, whether you take to your socials or start a conversation internally.

Get Online Week empowers tens of thousands of people with the skills and means to use the internet safely, confidently & affordably. This is only made possible through free local events hosted by community organisations across the UK. 

How can you promote digital inclusion this upcoming Get Online Week?

1. Watch and share a free webinar

During our free webinar, How to use your digital device to help with mobility and dexterity - with Parkinson's UK, taking place on Wednesday 17 September, expert AbilityNet Disability Consultant, Lizi Green, shares ideas for adjustments, apps and online sites that can help with common mobility and dexterity issues.

John Pettigrew from Parkinson's UK also highlights tech that can have a positive influence on tremors related to Parkinson's.

During Get Online Week itself, we hosted a free webinar Simple ways to get online and feel less isolated.

In the session, our experts shared how to turn isolation into connection, with ideas for apps, online communities and tools to help beat loneliness.

Catch up on free webinars

2. Learn essential digital skills for free

As part of AbilityNet's partnerships with both BT Group and Capgemini, we're offering free sessions for older, disabled or digitally excluded people to boost their digital knowledge.

From learning how to get on the internet, to booking a GP appointment, and staying safer online, or joining a video call and banking online, pick up essential digital skills at friendly free in-person sessions across the UK.

Get support at sessions across the UK

Get support in Telford and Wrekin

3. Check out My Computer My Way

Search our My Computer My Way site for simple 'how to' guides to make your device easier to use. The guides offer step by step instructions on how to adapt your phone, computer or tablet to meet your needs. 

4. Help others get online 

Can you help us change the lives of people experiencing digital exclusion? Get involved this Get Online Week! Become an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer - you don't need to be a tech guru! Share your spare time to help people in your community learn basic computer skills.

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

Why is Get Online Week important?

5. Watch bitesize videos (or share them with your relatives!)

Would you, or someone you know, like to know more about how the online world enhance your life? Watch and share short instructional videos aimed at boosting digital skills among older people. View all the short videos via the playlist on AbilityNet's YouTube channel.

You can help us change the lives of people experiencing digital exclusion. Get involved this Get Online Week 2025!

How AbilityNet can help you

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

• Call our free tech helpline on 0300 180 0028.
• 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.

AbilityNet accessibility services

• Speak to our experts 
• View our accessibility products and services
• Access free technology webinars
• Book onto an online training course

Support AbilityNet

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

Navigating the online world can be overwhelming, especially if you're unsure about searching for information, figuring out which websites to trust, or understanding how your digital device works.

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

Join AbilityNet in partnership with BT Group for upcoming free digital skills sessions in Dundee.

AbilityNet's expert Digital Skills Trainer, Hannah Davies, and the BT team will be your guides 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 safely and 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.

Tea and biscuits will be available during the sessions too.

Free webinar: Simple ways to get online and feel less isolated

Where and when are the sessions being held?

The Senior Skills Sessions run from 10am to 12 noon on the following dates:

• Thursday 2 October 2025: An Introduction to the internet and AI (artificial intelligence)
• Thursday 9 October 2025: Keeping in touch - Video Calling, email and WhatsApp
• Thursday 16 October 2025: How to Stay Safer online

Please bring along your own devices (smartphones or tablets) if you have them.

Please register your interest and we will follow up to confirm your place, due to the high demand.

Skills sessions address: 2 Greenmarket, West Marketgait, Dundee, DD1 4QB.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to boost your digital skills!

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 Dundee, how can I get digital skills help?

If you're an older person or are a disabled adult and looking to build your skills, we're offering free digital skills sessions in areas in and around London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, the East Coast of Scotland, Stoke, Preston, Brighton & Hove (and Sussex), Newcastle, Cardiff and surrounding areas.

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

Attend a free session

I want to know about the BT switchover from analogue to digital

We have lots of information which can help you in our blog: Everything you need to know about Digital Voice

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

*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

Written by Mairéad Comerford, HR Director at AbilityNet

In a dynamic and competitive marketplace, organisations must go beyond traditional approaches to attract and retain exceptional talent.

Building a truly inclusive recruitment process - one that is accessible, equitable, and welcoming to all candidates - not only strengthens your workforce, but also reflects a deep commitment to fairness, innovation, and organisational integrity. 

As a Disability Confident Leader, AbilityNet is dedicated to fostering an inclusive recruitment journey. We continuously seek and apply feedback from applicants to refine our approach, ensuring it evolves to meet the diverse needs of every candidate.

Read on to find out three ways every organisation can deliver accessible, inclusive recruitment:

1. Make your job postings and supporting materials accessible

Accessibility begins with the materials candidates see first. Making job postings and supporting documents inclusive not only attracts a broader talent pool, it also signals a strong organisational commitment to equity and diversity.

Key considerations include:

• Use accessible fonts and colour combinations to support readability for all users.
• Provide captions or transcripts for any video content to accommodate different communication needs.
• Avoid jargon, acronyms, and complex language that may exclude or confuse potential applicants.

To support consistency and quality, use tools like the Microsoft Accessibility Checker to help ensure your documents meet accessibility standards and are inclusive by design.

2. Review your essential job criteria

When listing role requirements, it's vital to assess whether any criteria may unintentionally limit the diversity of applicants. For example, requesting a valid driver’s licence might exclude disabled candidates—even when public transport could reasonably support the role’s responsibilities.

Ask yourself: Is the requirement truly essential, or could flexibility enable broader inclusion? Reconsidering non-critical criteria can help remove unnecessary barriers and foster a recruitment process that values equity, practicality, and diverse talent.

AbilityNet is a Disability Confident Leader, amongst organisations such as Barclays, BT, the Cabinet Office, Fujitsu, Heathrow, John Lewis Partnership, Lloyds Banking Group and many other household names.

3. Be flexible with your interview process

Recognise that candidates bring a wide range of communication needs and preferences. Creating a flexible interview experience helps foster inclusion and puts individuals at ease.

Consider offering online interviews with options for cameras off or blurred backgrounds to provide a more comfortable environment. Where appropriate, give candidates the choice to pre-record a presentation, this can remove pressure and allow them to showcase their strengths on their own terms.

Sharing interview questions in advance is another impactful way to support applicants. It promotes transparency, reduces anxiety, and builds confidence, particularly for roles that require specific examples of experience.

Candidates are better equipped to reflect on their achievements and present relevant insights, leading to stronger conversations and fairer outcomes for all.

Further resources

• AbilityNet’s factsheets including Creating Accessible Documents and Disability and Employment are free to download and provide advice and information about how computers and other digital technologies can help people with a range of conditions and impairments.
• Keep up to date with digital inclusion and accessibility with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Explore AbilityNet's free live webinar events

The BBC’s 2025 report on The Socioeconomic Impact of Digital Transition offers a sobering yet timely analysis of how the UK’s shift to digital-first services is reshaping society.

While the transition promises efficiency and innovation, the report underscores a critical truth: without inclusive infrastructure, millions risk being left behind.

Key findings from the BBC report

The report reveals:

• More than 10 million UK adults still lack basic digital skills, with older and disabled people disproportionately affected.
• Public services are increasingly digital-by-default, yet many users struggle to access them due to poor design, lack of support, or affordability barriers.
• Digital exclusion correlates strongly with socio-economic disadvantage, reinforcing cycles of poverty and isolation.
• Disabled people are nearly three times more likely to be offline, and older adults face compounded barriers due to confidence, accessibility, and device literacy.
• The transition is widening the gap between those who benefit from digital services and those who are excluded — with real-world consequences in health, finance, and civic participation.

Our reflections: Inclusion must be intentional

At AbilityNet charity, we welcome the BBC’s spotlight on digital exclusion. These findings echo what we hear daily from the communities we serve. For many older and disabled people, digital transformation isn’t just a technical shift - it’s a social reckoning.

AbilityNet believes:

• Digital inclusion is a human right, not a luxury. Everyone deserves access to essential services, regardless of age, ability, or income.
• Accessibility must be embedded from the start, not retro-fitted. From screen reader compatibility to cognitive-friendly layouts, inclusive design benefits everyone.
• Support must be personal and empathetic. Automated chatbots and online FAQs don’t replace the value of patient, human-led guidance.
• AI and emerging tech can be powerful allies, but only if they’re designed with lived experience in mind. 

Embedding accessibility at every stage of your project
Are your projects accessible and inclusive first time, every time?

Instead of letting accessibility end up as a last-minute fix, share with your leadership team a valuable opportunity to learn how to embed accessibility into your processes - perfect for product owners, product managers, content editors, HR teams and more!

What AbilityNet is doing - and what needs to change

AbilityNet works hard to encourage others to embrace digital accesssibility. We're working to:

• Give more training and help to volunteers who support people with digital skills.
• Push for fair rules when buying digital tools in the public sector.
• Create tools with disabled people so they are useful, easy to use, and respectful.
• Work with tech companies to make sure accessibility is built into products from the start — not added later.

But bigger changes are needed. That means:

• Government must lead by making inclusive design a rule for all digital services.
• Companies must take responsibility and make accessibility a key part of their products.
• Communities need funding to support local projects to boost digital understanding and help delete the digital divide — in places like care homes, libraries, and community centres.

A digital future that works for everyone

The BBC’s report is a call to action.

If digital transformation is to be truly transformative, it must be inclusive by design. Let’s build a future where technology empowers, rather than excludes.

Further Resources

• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter
• Find out about AbilityNet's free live webinars