Flagship ‘Easy-Read’ website launched to bridge digital divide for disabled people

A new ‘Easy-Read’ website has been launched today aiming to bridge the digital divide for those disabled people who are excluded from the digital revolution.

eAccessibility Wales (www.eaccessibilitywales.org.uk ) will offer a comprehensive suite of solutions to common problems faced by disabled people who go online, ranging from accessing bespoke computer settings to hardware and software recommendations.

The online resource was developed by the Wales e-Accessibility Forum, a partnership facilitated by Communities 2.0 and chaired by Disability Wales. It aims to provide help and advice for disabled people and the organisations who support them on how to access the internet and how to use the many e-accessibility features now available such as computer screens and keyboards.

This new Easy Read version of the website means that people with learning difficulties can also be supported, with enlarged text, images and simplified language. For those who use the website themselves, a directory of support organisations that can offer further help and assistance is also included.

Thought to be the first of its kind in Wales, and the most comprehensive resource in the UK, the website will be showcased today in Wrexham at Disability Wales’ annual Conference, the theme of which is digital inclusion.

The website has been created by Communities 2.0, the Welsh Government’s flagship digital inclusion programme, in collaboration with Disability Wales and its partner organisations on the eAccessibility Forum, including Learning Disability Wales, the Digital Accessibility Centre, RNIB, Leonard Cheshire Disability and others. Communities 2.0 is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Caroline Kenzie, Digital Marketing Officer for Communities 2.0, said:

“The internet is an enabling tool for everyone, but disabled people in particular stand to gain substantially from being able to access vital goods and services online. “In a society that’s increasingly reliant on internet services, and changes around accessing welfare benefits, digital inclusion is more important than ever. We are committed to improving provision for disabled people in Wales and the eAccessibility Wales online resource is another step towards that goal.

“An estimated 40% of disabled people are unable to use the internet and the eAccessibility Wales Forum is aiming to tackle this challenge with a more user-friendly interface than ever before. “The fact that it’s now available in Easy Read and is bilingual also means that more people than ever can benefit It’s not just a valuable resource for disabled people but is a fantastic source of information for carers and those who work with disabled people.”

Rhian Davies, Chief Executive of Disability Wales, said:

“Many websites are not designed with disabled users in mind and are subsequently difficult to use. There are free online assistive tools, however many disabled people are unaware of these and how to use them.

“In response to this issue Disability Wales has worked with Communities 2.0 and other disability organisations in Wales to develop eAccessibility Wales