Your Voice Counts Digital Toolkit
Helping people with learning disabilities to thrive online
When lockdown restrictions were first introduced in 2020, we quickly realised the extent of digital exclusion within our communities and the risk this posed to people with learning disabilities who rely on regular interaction with their support networks.
Thanks to funding from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, we were able to mobilise a team to provide practical and emotional help and advice tailored to the needs of the people we support to help them connect online with confidence. This ranged from supplying devices and data to providing ongoing training and support to develop skills and confidence to get the most out of their internet access.
Through this project we learned that digital exclusion takes many forms but that with the right tools and support people with learning disabilities can thrive online.
Hear the stories of some of the people we support and how we helped them in this short film
Organisations and groups trying to help people get online might find the following resources useful
Useful resources for staff
Digital accessibility toolkit (pdf) - produced by CMB
Technology options presentation film:
Easy read guides
Staying safe online and on social media (pdf) - produced by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
How to use Microsoft Teams (pdf) - produced by Ace Anglia
How to use TeamViewer (pdf) - produced by Ace Anglia
How to use WhatsApp (pdf)
Our Digital Toolkit case studies (individual films)
Margaret's story
Peter's story
Paula's story
Mark's story
More information
We’re happy to share our learning and experiences with anyone interested in supporting people to connect online. Email lindsay.henderson@yvc.org.uk to find out more.
“Thanks for this, it was very detailed and I loved the videos.”
Ceri McGhee
Funding Officer – North East & Cumbria Team
