AbilityNet is proud to be in the top tier of the Disability Confident government-led scheme, amongst organisations such as Barclays, BT, the Cabinet Office, Fujitsu, Heathrow, John Lewis Partnership, Lloyds Banking Group and many other household names.

In this new captioned audio video produced by the Disability Confident team, AbilityNet's HR Director, Mairead Comerford, highlights some of AbilityNet's best practices in workplace disability inclusion, and describes the benefits that being a Disability Confident Leader has brought to the charity.

Learn about the disability inclusion experiences of three AbilityNet employees, covering topics including autism awareness, Rheumatoid Arthritis and inclusive recruitment:

Mencap and the Disability Confident scheme

The Disability Confident scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people. It is voluntary and has been developed by employers and disabled people's representatives.

As experts in disability and technology AbilityNet achieved the accolade of a Disability Confident Leader back in 2020 and continues to uphold the title.

As part of AbilityNet's role as a Disability Confident Leader, we support and validate other organisations to achieve and maintain their Leader statuses.

We are thrilled to announce the completion of Mencap's validation process for the renewal of its Disability Confident Leader status.

"This achievement is a testament to the charity's exceptional dedication and hard work," says AbilityNet's Mairead Comerford, who was involved with the validation process. "Mencap continues to set a remarkable example in fostering an inclusive workplace and supporting disabled employees," she continues.

The Disability Confident Leader validator serves as an independent entity - either an organisation or individual - that evaluates an employer's self-assessment for the Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) status. This validation process ensures that the employer meets the scheme's criteria and upholds its reputation as a leader in disability inclusion.

How AbilityNet provides validation

The validator (in this case, AbilityNet) plays a crucial role by:

• Reviewing and Challenging: Thoroughly examining the employer's self-assessment and supporting evidence to verify alignment with Disability Confident Leader criteria.
• Providing an External Perspective: Offering independent insights, as they are not employees of the organisation being assessed.
• Confirming Commitment: Ensuring the employer is not simply making statements but actively implementing the required actions and practices for Leader-level recognition.
• Highlighting Areas for Improvement: Identifying opportunities for the employer to further enhance their approach to disability inclusion.

How your organisation can become Disability Confident 

Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.
Being Disability Confident is a unique opportunity to lead the way in your community, and you might just discover someone your business cannot do without.

If you’re seeking a validator to achieve Disability Confident Leader status or need guidance on how to progress on your journey, feel free to email Mairead Comerford at AbilityNet.

AbilityNet is featured in the May/June 2025 issue of Able Magazine, discussing the Disability Confident scheme (pages 58-59).

AbilityNet is hiring!

• Disabled User Testers
• Tech Volunteer

Further reading

About AbilityNet: Leading the Way in Disability Inclusion

Factsheet: Disability and Employment

Download AbilityNet's Disability Confident Voluntary Reporting Framework - issued 2025

Learn more about AbilityNet and view our Impact Report

Coming soon: the 14th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) takes place on Thursday, 15 May 2025. 

GAAD drives accessibility focus

GAAD offers a great opportunity to promote digital accessibility and inclusion within your organisation, and get people thinking about how tech can help transform the lives of disabled people. 

Perhaps you're an accessibility champion trying to get your senior team to understand the importance of accessibility and need help to drive action? GAAD provides a focus for all.

Here are 4 resources to help you participate in GAAD 2025:

1. Business Case for Accessibility - download your free guide to help you to win hearts and minds 
2. Disability Awareness Factsheet - educate your team with AbilityNet's free online guide
3. Disability Awareness Training - increase your disability confidence with training for you and your teams
4. Book an engaging talk - inspire your team with an AbilityNet speaker

1. Business Case for Accessibility

By making your digital products and services accessible, you enhance user experience, boost conversions and build trust. No matter the size or type of your organisation it's the right thing to do and also helps your bottom line.

Use this free guide to highlight to your senior team how Google, Business Disability Forum, Accenture and others have prioritised digital accessibility for distinct strategic advantage.

Download your Business Case for Accessibility

2. Disability Awareness Factsheet

Is the term 'disability awareness' properly understood within your organisation? Download a bitesize introduction to what you need to know about disability awareness.

Along with information about the different types and models of disability, use our factsheet to learn about disability rights information and language guidelines. 

Share the resource with your colleagues in advance of GAAD.

Get your factsheet

3. Disability Awareness Training

• "Being able to listen to lived experiences of people was the most valuable for me, as it is only so much you can learn from theory and books."
• "The panellists speaking about their lived experience was incredibly helpful and informative."

Attendees of our training consistently note the value and impact of learning about the lived experience of disability from our trainers.

Help your teams to connect with the needs of your customers (and colleagues): Choose from flexible training options including face-to-face workshops, online webinars and self-paced eLearning modules. From neurodiversity in the workplace to PDF Accessibility get role-specific training including for HR professionals and line managers.

Arrange Disability Awareness Training for your team to teach your staff about important accessibility and inclusion topics, learn language dos and don'ts, and receive practical advice to avoid creating unnecessary barriers for disabled employees and customers.

Together, we can all help to create a digital world accessible to all.

Book Disability Awareness training

4. Inspire your colleagues with a speaker session

AbilityNet's expert speakers have lived experience of disability and can talk with enthusiasm and authority to inspire your teams. Book an engaging speaker to train your staff on a variety of topics, for both GAAD and beyond.

Energise your staff

...and a bonus 5. for higher education professionals:

AbilityNet is a proud supporter of the ALT Digital Accessibility SIG (Special Interest Group), who are hosting a webinar on Thursday 15th May, 2-3pm BST. Join a panel of contributors representing a number of Universities to discuss critical digital accessibility success factors, based on their higher education (HE) sector experiences:

Register for the GAAD HE webinar

Further resources

• Visit the GAAD website for more info
• 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

A survey conducted by AbilityNet in January 2025 showed that the majority of organisations are not confident they will comply with the new European Accessibility Act (EAA) when it comes into force in June 2025.  

Most of the people who responded (60%) have known about the Act for up to a year, and 40% said they’d known about it longer than that.  

However, just 11% feel confident about what they’re doing and think they will be compliant.  

Reasons for not being prepared

The majority (70%) either aren’t sure what to do, have some idea, but don’t think they have time, or simply don’t know what they are doing about it. 

The reasons given for not being prepared include: 

• Lack of in-house expertise, 44% 
• Uncertainty about technical requirements, 37% 
• Budget constraints, 30% 
• Leadership buy-in, 25% 
• Fixing all the issues that have been identified, 24% 
• Third-party vendor delays, 12%

More education and information needed 

AbilityNet’s Head of Consultancy, Will Sutton, sees this moment as a chance for organisations to accelerate progress: but acknowledged how much education and support is still needed:

“The European Accessibility Act is an exciting step forward that’s generated plenty of discussion in the accessibility community, but our survey shows that there is still a lot of work needed to spread the word. It’s vital for businesses within the UK to recognise how the EAA impacts their operations, both immediately and moving forward. With enforcement across Europe beginning this summer, being proactive ensures any organisation can confidently meet the requirements and ensure continuous compliance with the Directive"

“AbilityNet has been running events about the EAA for several years, and recently published our Five-Step Guide to EAA Readiness. It’s encouraging to see such a strong response from the accessibility community, and together, we can reach more people working in relevant roles and sectors and keep building knowledge and confidence."

"These survey results are a reminder to organisations that this is a great time step back and critically evaluate their current accessibility maturity and look towards what they need to do to build a more holistic and embedded approach. As well as achieving and maintaining compliance it will give them access too the broadest market for their products and services.”

UK businesses and the EAA 

The European Accessibility Act comes into force on 28 June and affects any UK business that provides a range of product or service to consumers in the EU. This includes anyone using websites or apps to sell products or services to EU consumers, which puts many UK-based businesses and other organisations in scope of the Act.

AbilityNet ran a highly popular webinar in July 2024 about the EAA requirements and has continued to explain the likey impact on UK businesses.

However the survey shows that just half have attended webinars or training about the EAA, 36% have conducted an accessibility audit and 30% have taken legal advice about the possible impact of the EAA.  

The picture may be much worse 

As Will notes, the sample in the survey is skewed towards those with accessibility knowledge:  

"Our survey connected with clients and newsletter subscribers, an audience often focused on accessibility."

For example it’s notable that 43% of the 100+ respondents identified as subject matter experts in the EAA or possess an advanced understanding of its requirements, giving us valuable perspectives from a knowledgeable group."

"The feedback from this in-the-know group shows that even those familiar with accessibility principles need more clarity and preparation time, underscoring the importance of comprehensive EAA awareness and support for all relevant business sectors."

The organisations in the survey cover a wide range of sizes and types. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees made up just 11% of the responses, but 1 in 3 either have more than 250 employees or describe themselves as multinational corporations. A further 30% are government, public sector or non-profits – all of which may be affected by the EAA. 

How to prepare for June deadline 

The first step for any UK organisation is to understand the purpose of scope of the EAA, and to be clear whether they need to meet its requirements.  

• Almost half (49%) of respondents said they believe they are in scope for the EAA, but 35% said they don’t yet know whether they are.
• Given the risks associated with non-compliance it may be necesary to ask for legal advice, however just 30% of respondents say they have done so. 

When asked how AbilityNet can help them prepare, the responses fell into three main types: 

1. Information and resources, such as checklists, roadmaps and country-by-country details
2. Consultation services, providing guidance and advice about what to do
3. Audit and testing services

AbilityNet has repsonded to this by creating a new Five-Step Guide to EAA Readiness, available for free download form our website.

Download your AbilityNet EAA Readiness Guide 

Summary of key EAA survey results 

Method

The survey was issued to AbilityNet email and cient contacts in February 2025. 115 responses were processed.

Who responded 

Type of organisation that best applies to your work: 

• Government/Public sector    8.5% 
• Non-profit/NGO    20.8% 
• Educational institution    14.2% 
• Small business with fewer than 20 employees    11.3% 
• Large business (250+ employees)    11.3% 
• Multinational corporation    22.6% 
• Other    11.3% 

What is your role in your organisation? 

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion    22% 
• Content Creation    19% 
• Project Management    18% 
• Customer Experience    16% 
• Digital Design: Visual design or UX/UI    14% 
• General Management    14% 
• Digital Product Management    13% 
• Marketing and Communications    10% 
• None of the above    10% 
• IT Strategy    9% 
• Digital Quality Assurance    8% 
• Testing (standards-based)    8% 
• Testing (user research)    8% 
• Development: Front End    6% 
• IT Architecture and Integration    6% 
• Digital Accessibility    5% 
• Digital Security    5% 
• Procurement    5% 
• Development: Back End    4% 
• Sales    3% 
• HR and training    2% 
• Data Science    0% 
• Legal    0% 
• Other (please specify)    20% 
• Others included: 
• Digital Accessibility (5); Inclusive design consultant (1); Built Environment Standards and Guidelines, Business Development Training (1); Engineering (1); Library Management (1); Supply Chain Manager (1); Internal Trainer - focus on accessibility (1); Founder (2); Finance and admin (1); Admin (1); Trustee (1); Email developer (1); C suite (1); Brand (1) 

How would you describe your knowledge of the EAA? Please select one only.  

• Expert - I lead EAA compliance efforts and am considered a subject matter expert    11% 
• Advanced - I understand requirements and its implications for my organisation    33% 
• Basic - I know the EAA exists but need guidance    37% 
• None - I'm unfamiliar with the EAA    19% 

When did you first learn about the EAA? 

• Today    18% 
• In the past 3 months    22% 
• In the past year    19% 
• More than 1 year ago    40% 

Do you believe your organisation is in scope of the EAA? Please select one only.

• Yes 49% 
• No 16% 
• Not sure 35% 

Has your organisation taken legal advice about the possible impact of the EAA? Please select one only 

• Yes 31% 
• No 53% 
• Don’t know 17% 

How ready is your organisation for the June deadline?  

• We are clear about what we need to do and confident we will be compliant        12% 
• We are clear about what we need to do but not sure we can get it all done by June        18% 
• *We have some idea about what we need to do but not sure we'll be ready by June        29% 
• We are not prepared and don't know what we need to do        20% 
• I’m not sure        22% 

What have you done to prepare for the EAA? Please select all that apply. 

• Conducted an accessibility audit or gap analysis    54% 
• Trained staff on EAA requirements    34.20% 
• Developed a compliance road map or policy    18.40% 
• *Participated in EAA-related webinars, workshops, or training    75% 
• Sought legal advice    42% 
• Engaged third-party consultants    21% 

What have been the biggest challenges in preparing for the EAA? Please select all that apply. 

• Budget constraints    41% 
• *Lack of in-house expertise    59% 
• Uncertainty about technical requirements    49% 
• Fixing all the issues that have been identified    32% 
• Leadership buy-in    34% 
• Third-party vendor delays    17% 

What help do you think AbilityNet can provide to help you prepare for EAA? 

• Information and resources, such as checklists, roadmaps and country-by-country details 
• Consultation services, providing guidance and advice about what to do 
• Audit and testing services 
   

By AbilityNet Research and Evaluation Officer, Ell Martin

Andrew, an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer Coordinator, situated in and around Cardiff has been volunteering with AbilityNet for seven years.  

Having started out as a Tech Volunteer; supporting residents across his local area both over the phone and in person, Andrew then became  an Area Coordinator, which means in addition to supporting people with digital skills, he manages AbilityNet’s local volunteers and promotes the charity in his region.  

Although his background  in IT is undoubtedly very helpful in the role, Andrew believes it’s his experience as a Relationship Manager, communicating IT-related content to non-IT professionals, that has best prepared him to be an AbilityNet Tech Volunteer.  

Andrew shared his insights with us; both about digital exclusion across South Wales, and how digital support is helping to reduce this.  

Digital exclusion in Wales  

To be digitally excluded means that a person, or group of people, are unable to get online. This is usually through some or all of the following components: 

• No access to the internet, for example due to poor internet connection or if someone cannot afford the cost of broadband or mobile data 
• Unable to afford to access a suitable device 
• Lack of confidence or skills to get online safely 

As a volunteer visiting people who need tech support across South Wales, Andrew has seen first-hand the impact of digital exclusion. He said there is a “great need” across Wales for digital inclusion support. He noted the importance of encouraging local politicians to take the need more seriously.  

Reliance on charitable services 

Carers and social workers who support residents have found out about AbilityNet’s services through local outreach events, but Andrew says residents struggle to get help from their local councils first. Meaning services, like AbilityNet’s tech support, are heavily relied on in the area.  

This reliance has led to challenges for Andrew as both a Tech Volunteer and Coordinator: 

“Unfortunately, we can’t get to everyone. It’s difficult knowing people will have to wait a long time or have an interaction in a way they don’t want (for example, remotely, online, instead of in person). You can see the cuts, but can’t put the plaster on them,” he says. 

Andrew believes that services like AbilityNet’s free digital support, and an importance placed on policy, are key to reducing digital exclusion. 

Reflecting on a visit to the Welsh Assembly, Andrew noted: how you can highlight this importance to Assembly Members through their own experiences. For example, perhaps they have an older family member who has been scammed online.   

“Policy is so important. You realise how much of a difference that can make,” says Andrew. 

Free webinar: How going digital can save you money: a guide with the DWP

Providing valuable digital support 

AbilityNet’s Tech Volunteers and our Helpline team provide digital device support both remotely and in person, although as Andrew pointed out to us, “a lot of the people we talk to do not want to have remote fixes – a lot are very dubious to do that as that’s what bad people do (for example, digital scammers).”  

Despite these challenges, Andrew, and the other volunteers he works alongside, support a huge range of individuals to better use tech.  

When asked what volunteering meant to him, Andrew’s first response was “rewarding”. He then went on to recount some of the times he has helped people use their tech.  

One he particularly remembers was an older lady who was partially blind and deaf, who was writing a novel. Andrew’s support meant she could continue to work on her novel on her laptop, without tech issues.  

Upgrading and evolving technology 

One area Andrew says clients often need support with, is finding the right tech. For example, Andrew supported an academic whose Parkinson’s was impacting his ability to write. Andrew helped him find and set up a specialised keyboard that meant he could type without his shaking impacting the results.  

“Only half the problem is that people’s tech not working -the other half is finding the right tech for people in the first place. Being a volunteer is a very varied role.” 

Andrew supports group sessions (as well as one to one individual guidance), which means reaching out to community groups. These groups often have a relaxed agenda, which enables the attendees to raise their own queries and tech problems  

“You have a huge impact in such a short time, and they all take something away from it,” Andrew enthuses 

Contact AbilityNet if you are disabled or a senior citizen and need support with your digital devices - call our helpline on 0300 180 0028 or request help from an AbilityNet volunteer.

Could you join AbilityNet as a volunteer?

We're always on the look out for volunteers so if you'd like to get involved like Andrew, please get in contact:

Find out more about volunteering
 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Further resources

• Free Digital Skills training for older and disabled people via AbilityNet
• Book digital inclusion training for your teams
• Support AbilityNet with fundraising at your organisation
• Find out about practical tips to shield yourself from scams
• Sign up to our newsletter for updates on assistive technology, accessibility and more 

There are multiple communication options used by people who are D/deaf or who have hearing loss. And, in the last five years, advances in automatic speech recognition (ASR) have opened up further options.

Across the UK, 11 million people are currently affected by deafness or hearing loss, according to the charity Action on Hearing Loss. As the population ages, more people are expected to be affected.

In this blog, we explore some of the latest tech options available for communication, leisure and education for people who have hearing loss.

Don't forget that you can get free one-to-one from our Helpline on 0300 180 0028, as well as ask for free IT support at from our network of friendly volunteers.

Popular communication used by people who are D/deaf

Sign language is a common and great option, though there are limitations in that it’s not understood by most of the hearing population. Lip reading, while not always giving someone a full understanding of what’s being spoken, is also a useful skill to have.

Below we look in more detail at some of the newest apps and tech in the hearing loss world.

Google Live Transcribe

Google's recent release Live Transcribe uses ASR technology to offer real-time transcription of speech into text.

The spoken text is picked up by a phone microphone and delivered to an android phone screen using wifi or another network connection.

This can be useful for people who are D/deaf and attending conferences or lectures, for example. The words spoken will appear on the phone of the person who has the app. The tech works for 70 different languages.

AVA

Lip reading can be harder in a group of people and this is one of the main reasons AVA was created. If a person who is D/deaf or who has hearing loss is with a group of friends, they can get those friends to connect to the app - then the person(s) who has hearing loss will see live transcriptions of the group conversation.

The speech is picked up using the phone’s microphone and on screen the name of the person talking is displayed in front of what that person says.

Rogervoice

Rogervoice is an app which produces live transcription during phone calls in more than 100 different languages. People who are D/deaf and those who have hearing loss, or someone who has difficulty speaking can use the phone to have a conversation with someone, and receive a typed text (on their phone) of what the other person is saying.

Voxsci

Voxsci is a speech-to-text app which translates voicemail messages into texts and emails which can be saved, searched and shared. Costs start at £5 a month for 30 voicemail texts or emails.

TapSOS

This highly useful app won last year’s AbilityNet Tech4Good Digital Health Award. It offers a way for people who are D/deaf and those who have hearing loss to communicate with emergency services without needing to speak or listen. TapSOS is very visual and works by the user tapping the screen to select which options they need.

While originally designed for people who are D/deaf, it is also useful for people with breathing difficulties or those in situations being held against their will when contacting the emergency services, such as the police. 

TapSOS stores the individual’s medical history and pertinent personal information on their device, delivering this directly to the selected emergency service. It also uses GPS to pinpoint the user’s exact location.

Braci Sound Alert

Braci Sound Alert app lets you record the sounds in your environment and then gives you visual and vibrational alerts on your smartphone when it recognises them. For example, it can alert you when an alarm goes off or when a doorbell rings.

Signly

It might be assumed that written information is the best way to communicate with people who are D/deaf. It’s not always understood by the general population that learning to read means connecting what a word looks like to how it sounds and so reading can be more difficult for people who are born D/deaf, particularly when that person is still a child.

The Signly app was set up to offer people who are D/deaf, or who have hearing loss another option for understanding written or visual information. The app was first used at the Roald Dahl museum in the UK. Visitors to the museum point their phone at exhibits and are offered videos on their smartphone which display sign language descriptions of the exhibitions. The app is also used by Network Rail and has had trials with Lloyds Banking Group to offer those companies’ D/deaf customers more information on awareness raising campaigns or leaflet content, for example.

Signly also has an audio layer which is useful for people with sight loss.

TV and cinema subtitles

Your local cinema app

A simple website and app which lets you know films at your local cinemas which are showing with subtitles and audio description options. Search for local film options with subtitles and audio description, here. 

Subtitles Viewer! / Sub

Using your phone microphone, the Subtitles Viewer app enables you to view subtitles in various languages on your iOS device. The app synchronises with television or movies on your TV or at the cinema. There are other similar options on Android available.

Further reading

View our other publications on tech for hearing loss, including factsheets and news stories

Watch the recording of our webinar 'Top tips for how tech can help with hearing loss'

Watch the recording of our webinar 'Smartphone features for people with Hearing Loss'

You may have heard that landlines are changing and that the UK’s telephone network is going digital. These changes will affect everyone who has a landline they’d like to keep using. 

An industry-wide shift from analogue to digital will see BT and many other home phone operators in the UK provide services over a broadband connection, similar to work taking place in other countries around the world.

As a charity that supports elderly and disabled people, AbilityNet is working closely with BT to help raise awareness of the switchover and to share helpful, up-to-date information on what this means for you or for your family and friends, particularly those with additional needs, such as elderly relatives.

The digital landline rollout – when will the switch happen? 

Between now and 2027, all telephone providers will be moving their customers over to new upgraded landline services that use broadband to make and receive calls.

For BT, its digital landline product is called Digital Voice, but other phone companies have their own versions. 

Supporting loved ones with the switchover

To further raise awareness of the switch, BT has launched a new initiative called ‘Connected Together’, aimed at friends and family members of those with additional needs, such as elderly relatives. 

With ‘Connected Together’, alongside BT’s direct customer communications, BT is encouraging friends and family members of those with additional needs to take a few simple steps to help support their loved ones during the switch to a digital landline, such as helping explain what they need to do in preparation for switching and why it is important. 

BT is providing dedicated information and resources to support friends and family members – together with those with additional needs – via a dedicated website, with selected social media influencers and their family members participating in raising awareness of the switch.

Four things to know about the switch – and how you can help your loved ones

1. Inform and educate: Ensure your family understands the switch to Digital Voice, why it's happening, and how to prepare. They will receive at least four weeks' notice. 
2. It’s easy – and comes with added benefits, too: Switching is simple – just connect your home phone to your router instead of the socket on your wall. Follow BT Group's step-by-step guidance [PDF] or request expert assistance, if required. Pricing and plans remain unchanged, with added benefits like spam call blocking.
3. Notify BT Group of their circumstances: If your loved one uses a telecare device, pendant alarm or burglar alarm, please let the phone company know and also check with the equipment provider to see whether it needs to be upgraded ahead of the switch. For customers with telecare devices or pendant alarm, without mobile coverage, or who have additional needs, BT will offer a free engineer visit to support customers with the switch to a digital landline, as well as a free battery back up unit or Hybrid telephone, which enable calls to be made in the event of a power outage.
4. What if they don’t have broadband? Don’t worry, BT will offer a dedicated landline service, allowing them to use their landline in the same way they do today.

Visit the BT Group website to get more help with Digital Voice

Free webinar: Simple tech tips for hearing loss

Changes in other countries

The UK isn’t the only country going through these changes.

In fact, in Estonia and the Netherlands the switch has already happened and countries like France, Germany and Japan are also all in the process of turning off their analogue landline networks. This once-in-a-generation upgrade to UK landlines is absolutely essential and will replace existing technology which is fast becoming obsolete. 

To ensure customers are protected during the switch process, BT and other home phone providers have partnered with the Government to agree on a checklist of criteria they must follow before moving customers over. 

This checklist outlines various requirements, such as contacting customers well in advance of making the switch and working closely with local authorities to make sure no one is overlooked.

BT says all customers will be notified four weeks before the move to Digital Voice takes place. 

What does the switch mean for people who use telecare devices or pendant alarms?

The above agreement will require home phone providers to offer an engineer visit to anyone who has additional needs, including elderly or vulnerable people who depend on telecare devices or pendant alarms. The engineer will test whether your telecare devices or pendant alarms still work once the household has been switched to a digital voice service.

BT acknowledges that some people may be apprehensive about the changes, particularly if they’re dependent on landline services for lifesaving telecare devices or pendant alarms.

That’s why it’s critically important that anyone who uses a telecare device or pendant alarms lets their provider know so they can ensure they have the necessary support available when the time comes to switch. You can also do this on behalf of a friend or family member.

Get digital skills training for free 

What to expect when upgrading to Digital Voice 

For most BT customers, the upgrade to Digital Voice is as simple as having a landline phone that is connected to a BT broadband router, rather than the phone socket in the wall. More than 99% of phone handsets are compatible with Digtial Voice, so you shouldn’t need to buy a new one. There is also no additional charge for Digital Voice. 

For most people, using Digital Voice will feel much the same as using an analogue landline. But the technology also comes with new features, such as advanced spam call blocking. BT calls this feature Enhanced Call Protect and it stops around 20,000 scam calls every day. This is a particularly useful feature for vulnerable people and the elderly, who are often targeted by such calls.

For those with telecare devices or pendant alarms, without mobile coverage, or who have additional needs, BT will offer a free engineer visit to help customers make the switch as well as a free battery back up unit or Hybrid telephone, which enable calls to be made in the event of a power outage.

For those with Telecare, the engineer will also test your device to ensure it’s still working after they’ve moved you to Digital Voice.

What about customers who don’t currently have broadband?

Don’t worry, you won’t be forced to subscribe to a broadband service that you don’t want.

Instead, BT will set you up with a dedicated connection for your phone service. You won’t need any new equipment or a home visit from an engineer to get things set up. You will essentially be able to continue using your landline in the same way that you do today until 2030.

But if you do have concerns, or have a vulnerable loved one who may need additional support, contact BT’s customer support to discuss your options

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

Navigating an inaccessible website can be a demoralising experience, especially when it lacks support for assistive technology or keyboard navigation. This isn't just inconvenient - it's exclusionary. 

The recently released Government Digital Service (GDS) report on accessibility monitoring from 2022 to 2024 underscores the importance of this issue. It highlights progress in making public sector websites and mobile apps more accessible and reveals just how much work is still ahead. 

While the report focuses on public sector organisations broadly, its lessons are just as critical for higher education institutions. Universities and colleges are cornerstones of public life, yet they often struggle to meet accessibility standards. The good news? Tools and support are available to help you bridge the gap, and AbilityNet is leading the charge. 

Accessibility wins and challenges for the year ahead

The GDS report covered 1,203 websites and 21 mobile apps, finding nearly 30,000 accessibility issues. Encouragingly, 55.3% of these issues were fixed during the monitoring period, and 68% of organisations either resolved their problems or had plans to do so. 

But the challenges are clear. Recurring issues like poor colour contrast, lack of keyboard navigation, and inaccessible design for screen readers cropped up repeatedly. And these aren’t new problems - they’re foundational accessibility principles outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and are also covered in detail in AbilityNet's training courses. 

Higher education institutions often face similar challenges: outdated systems, lack of resources, and limited awareness of accessibility requirements. But with the right support, these challenges are surmountable. 

How AbilityNet can help universities lead the way 

Accessibility isn’t just about meeting regulations - it’s about creating an inclusive environment where everyone can succeed. For universities and colleges, this means addressing barriers in both digital and physical spaces.  

Here are four ways AbilityNet can support higher education institutions in implementing the ideas from the GDS report: 

1. AbilityNet’s Higher Education Maturity Model 

AbilityNet’s Higher Education Maturity Model is a structured framework for assessing institutions' accessibility practices in teaching, digital services, and administration. 

• The model evaluates where an institution stands in its accessibility journey, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. 
• By understanding your current position, your institutions can create targeted strategies to improve, ensuring accessibility becomes a core part of your culture rather than an afterthought. 

2. WCAG Audits 

AbilityNet offers WCAG compliance audits to evaluate websites and apps against the latest accessibility standards (currently WCAG 2.2). 

• Detailed reports highlight compliance issues, from technical barriers like poor coding practices to usability challenges like unclear navigation. 
• These audits give your institution a roadmap to address specific issues, making it easier to prioritise fixes and ensure long-term compliance. 

3. Inclusive User Testing with Disabled and Neurodivergent students or staff 

There’s no better way to understand accessibility issues than to hear directly from those affected. AbilityNet facilitates usability and accessibility testing with disabled and neurodivergent students and staff to uncover real-world barriers. 

• Automated tools and audits can only go so far. User testing brings critical human insights, revealing accessibility issues that might otherwise be missed. 
• Does the campus portal work smoothly with screen readers? Can forms be completed using only a keyboard? Only real users can answer these questions. 

4. Training and awareness 

One of the biggest barriers to accessibility in higher education is a lack of knowledge. AbilityNet provides training for staff, helping them understand: 

• How to implement accessible design principles in courses and digital services. 
• Why accessibility isn’t just a compliance issue but a core part of inclusion and equity. 

AbilityNet’s flexible training options, including face-to-face workshops, online webinars, and self-paced eLearning modules, help embed these skills. 

Taking action in Higher Education

The GDS report reminds us that improving accessibility is a journey, not a one-time fix. For universities, this journey starts with recognising the importance of accessibility at every level - administration, teaching, and student services. 

With tools like the Higher Education Maturity Model, WCAG audits, and user testing, higher education institutions can take actionable steps to address their accessibility gaps. With AbilityNet’s expertise, you don’t have to do it alone. 

AbilityNet's expert team of certified consultants have experience across many sectors and their insights and expertise help your teams deliver accessible, compliant websites and apps.   

Speak to our experts

Webinar recordings:
Higher Education PSBAR accessibility requirements webinar with UCISA and The University of Sheffield
HE/Public Sector Update: Is your Accessibility Statement ready yet?

Lucy Woodcock is an Accessibility Consultant and User Researcher at AbilityNet. 

With a background in special needs education, Lucy has also worked as a trainer for a social enterprise supporting autistic people. 
 
Prior to working in education, Lucy worked in the IT industry as a software analyst and has an MSc in Computing. Her role at AbilityNet bridges her background in working with people with diverse needs and her technical knowledge. 

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will become law across the European Union in June 2025, impacting businesses that sell to consumers in the EU, including those operating from the UK.

Everyone we speak to is at a different place in their journey, and everyone is wondering what everyone else is doing.

Take the EAA Survey

As a charity AbilityNet is interested in the likely impact of the Act on the lives of disabled people.

And as a specialist accessibility consultancy we're keen to help our clients get to grips with the requirements of the Act.

By completing our short anonymous survey, you'll create a snapshot of the current situation.

We'll use the results to provide a more complete picture of what is happening and the barriers you are facing. It's also a chance to tell us what we can do to help.

The survey is entirely anonymous, but if you add your email address we’ll send you a copy of the findings. We'll also be discussing the results at our free EAA webinar series that starts in March - sign up below.

The survey closes Friday 28 February 2025 so please let us know what you think asap.

Free EAA webinar series

Our free webinars will answer your questions about the EAA.

The series starts Wednesday 19 March 2025 with further sessions in April and May.

Register for the EAA webinar series

Question: How do you equip your team with the skills to meet the demands of digital accessibility laws and regulations such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA), plus boost your brand reputation and customer base?

Answer: With training!

As we know how tight budgets are for all AbilityNet's 2025 training bundle offers you a great-value way to learn the latest best practices for creating accessible and inclusive products, services, and experiences. 

Save on accessibility training

Our 2025 training bundle includes 10 courses for the price of 8, with courses catering for roles from web developers to HR professionals.

Here are just a few of the courses to choose from, with more announced soon - book individually or as part of the bundle. You can also book group training for your staff:

Q1:

• Thursday 06 February - How to create accessible documents and presentations 
• Thursday 13 February - How to produce accessible videos
• Thursday 20 February - Accessible social media
• Thursday 27 February - How to begin your own accessibility testing
• Thursday 06 March - PDF accessibility
• Thursday 13 March - NEW COURSE! How to create accessible digital spaces for Neurodivergent users
• Thursday 20 March - How to use a screen reader for accessibility testing
• Thursday 27 March - Accessibility for content editors

Q2:

• Thursday 17 April - Free course: Introduction to Digital Accessibility 
• Thursday 15 May - How to create accessible documents and presentations 
• Thursday 5 June - Accessibility for Designers
• Thursday 12 June - InDesign Accessibility
• Thursday 19 June - PDF Accessibility
• More dates and courses to be announced soon!

Attendees of live training sessions will receive a Certificate of Attendance to add to their professional development training portfolio.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to save money and upskill your team on accessibility and inclusion.

Book your 2025 training bundle today!

Book your training bundle

2025 bundle offer details:

Save on the year ahead by purchasing 10 training courses for the price of 8, with our 2025 bundle deal:

• Not for profit discounted 10 tickets for price of 8 bundle (£120 each) is only £960 including VAT (saving £240 on usual price)
• For Profit discounted 10 ticket for price of 8 bundle (£165 each) is only £1320 including VAT (saving £330 on usual price)

You don’t have to book them all right now – you have until the end of 2025 to book all 10. More courses will be announced soon. You can also download a training brochure to browse what’s available and share with your team. 

What previous attendees say about the courses

“Another excellent training session from AbilityNet. The training was incredibly informative and has given me a lot of practical knowledge that I now feel confident in applying to my work... The course included so much information and detailed examples, having the recording to refer to will be really useful. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who works with PDF content! [Five stars]”
- Louise Rutledge, Digital Comms Officer at Samaritans

"As a national charity, it’s vital that we reach as many people as possible. AbilityNet’s training courses are clear, modern, understandable, and supports us in reaching our goal of becoming more accessible. It is obvious that AbilityNet is driven by passion and dedication to accessibility – and that is infectious." - Ellie Lundberg, Women’s Aid

So, this new year enjoy AbilityNet's affordable, high-quality range of online courses, bespoke training, and online learning tools to help you build your skills in accessibility and inclusive design.

Further resources 

• Check out AbilityNet’s range of online courses, bespoke training, and online learning tools to help you this year. 
• Keep up to date with accessibility issues with the AbilityNet newsletter 
• Find out more about AbilityNet's free live webinars

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people. If you can afford it, please donate to help us support older and disabled people through technology

In March 2001 a slightly geeky-looking man turned up at the IBM offices in Warwick. 

Wearing a jacket and a tie, I sat down and started my 22-year association with AbilityNet...

Now, in 2025, as I prepare to move to another organisation, here I reflect on the digital accessibility improvements I've witnessed for disabled people over that quarter of a century!

How things have changed

It was a much different time in 2001.

We take using the web for granted now, but in 2001, fewer than 40% of houses in the UK had internet access. Now, 93% of the population has internet access. 

AbilityNet used to have at least four Advice and Information Officers, armed with files full of printed factsheets that we would send out via the post on a daily basis.

Everyone who worked in an office would be in the office for every day of the week. Neither Facebook or YouTube were around. 

When I moved into my first home I had dial-up internet. In fact, I remember having a dedicated phone line for my internet use. That's weird to think about now.

Windows XP

This makes me feel old.... Back in 2001, we were all working on that workhorse of Windows, XP.

Strangely, as of 2025, 0.23% of computers worldwide are still running XP!

Back in 2001, if you wanted to change the way that the keyboard or the screen looked, you could do this via the Accessibility Wizard. If you didn't have any sight at all, you could use the Narrator to read text out to you.

Now, if you have Seeing AI installed you can have documents read out to you by just pointing your camera at a piece of text. Seeing AI will even tell you how old it thinks a person is. (It's not that reliable because it thinks I'm 59, when I'm much younger!!)

AbilityNet can support you!

Smartphones

There were no smartphones to speak of in 2001.

The first iPhone was released in 2007 and the first Android smartphone was released in 2008. 

I remember having one of those old classic Nokia phones, and the most exciting thing you could do on the LCD screen was to play games. Web access was possible, but, oh my, was it slow!

Talking about speed, the 3G network was rolled out in 2001. Major news for mobile phone historians was that the first smartphone with Bluetooth was introduced and the first phone to contain a calendar and a FM radio. 

Technology now

Now, most people have smartphones, although there is an ever-increasing gap between those people who have smartphones and tablets and those who still have "non smart phones" like the old Nokia phones.

People can do online banking, and browse the web on their phone. We're on Windows 11 now and accessibility both on computers and phones is so much better than two decades ago.

For instance, back in 2001 you had to buy a voice recognition package - now, with improvements in digital accessibility, you can use the built-in tech.  Now, although people still work in offices, the Covid pandemic convinced managers that people were just as productive when they worked at home as they were at the office. 

The future

I can't tell you what is going to happen in the future. I do think though that as technology changes there are always going to be people who are left behind by this "tech evolution". They are going to need support. Friends and family often can't provide this support. So, that's where AbilityNet can step in to help bridge the digital divide.

Free webinar: Tips to make your smartphone easier to use