Why is digital inclusion important for people with learning disabilities? For our Volunteer Digital Champions work, our Project Worker Cheryl Ferris-Stewart shares her thoughts.

We live in a world where almost everything is digital. From booking appointments, talking to friends, accessing support, learning new skills and even managing our health through apps. 

But what happens when people are left out of that world? 

This is why digital inclusion matters and why it is especially important for people with learning disabilities to be included. 

For many people technology isn't just confusing, it can also feel overwhelming, inaccessible and sometimes completely out of reach. Small barriers can become big ones. Complicated language, cluttered screens, too many steps or not knowing where to start can stop someone before they have even begun. 

They might struggle to 

  • Access important services 
  • Stay connected with friends and family 
  • Learn new things 
  • Build confidence and independence 

Digital inclusion is not just about having a device or WI-FI. It's about understanding, confidence and feeling safe. 

Workshop 

That's where projects like this from Asking You play an important part.  We created a workshop called Digital skills for life because we saw the gap and we know something had to change. 

The project breaks down things in ways that makes sense. We support people to  

  • Make screens easier to use 
  • Understanding how to use the internet and WI-FI 
  • Learning how to send a message and stay connected 
  • Search online in simple, safe ways 
  • Staying safe online, including understanding what AI is 

This is not just teaching people. This is about empowerment. 

Guides 

We have also created easy to follow guides that people can take away, so learning doesn't stop when the workshop ends. These guides help people build confidence at their own pace, in their own time without feeling pressured. 

We have even included support on how to use the NHS App, something that is becoming increasingly important in life. Being able to manage your health online shouldn't be a privilege, it should be something everyone has access to. 

Digital inclusion isn't an optional extra anymore. For many people, it's the difference between being able to access a service or not. Between being informed or left guessing, between being connected or isolated. 

If services are going to keep moving online, support simply must come with it. Proper accessibility and support is vital. Otherwise, people aren't failing to use digital systems – digital systems are failing them.