Technology transforms lives

National awareness campaign
It is estimated that some 4.25 million disabled people – 43% of all disabled people in the UK – have never been online. At a time when everyday life is linked ever more deeply to digital access and when government services, in particular, are set to become ‘digital by default’, these figures paint a worrying picture.

Urgent action is needed to increase disabled people’s access to technology in today’s digital age. And now a national campaign has been launched to raise awareness about – and help break down – the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing modern technologies ranging from the internet to smartphones and digital TV.

Promoting digital inclusion
The new campaign, called Go ON Gold, was created by Headstar, a publishing, events and research company that focuses on the use of ICT to improve public services and democracy to build a fairer society.

The initiative represents a powerful partnership between the UK’s major e-accessibility players, including the brand new national digital inclusion charity Go ON UK, the successor body to the high-profile and successful Government-backed campaign Race Online 2012.

Heightened public interest
Go ON Gold is being launched in the run-up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, in order to capitalise on high media and public interest in disability issues. However, it is also set to build awareness into 2013 and beyond.

The campaign will see the recruitment of 1,000 new disability-aware digital champions for Go ON UK, who will volunteer to help disabled people get online.