Every UK online centre is different, but there are many out there who are committed to digital inclusion and helping those who encounter daily difficulties, to develop their digital skills. Some statistics show that 85% of people supported through these online UK centre's meet one or more indicators of social deprivation. So far there has been noticeable improvements, with 88% of learners coming through the networks having improved self-confidence, 66% experiencing employment progression and 74% progressing to further learning. These statistics show the positive effect digital inclusion can have for disabled people.

Over three million people with a disability do not use the internet, and only 55% of disabled people have access compared to 83% of non-disabled people. It has been reported that people on low income are also more likely to be non-users of the internet, which partly explains the lack of disabled people online, as they are more likely to be unemployed than non-disabled people.

At Friends Action North East we have digital sessions running a few times a month, these sessions aim to develop people's digital skills and show the multiple things you can discover through the internet and how to use them. Just some of these include: Google, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, iTunes, amazon and email. Some of the sessions that have already occurred helped people get online to find what they were looking for, show them how to stay safe online, the do’s and don’ts of the internet as well as being smart and staying safe while getting the most out of using a mobile phone.

The next organized digital session will take place on 4th November 2015 at Abbey Road, Pity me, DH1 5GE, Tel: 0191 384 0700

For more information, or to find out about other sessions please telephone: 0191 231 4327

For more information on the details discussed in this post you can refer to this link: Helen Milner - People with disabilities excluded from web opportunities