Off limits to online?
Updated on 30 June 2008
James Blake reports on how people with learning difficulties are still being overlooked when going online.
In terms of widening their access to information, to goods, services and even jobs, the internet promises to be a revolution for the 1.5 million people in the UK with learning difficulties.
But campaign groups say they're still being excluded from benefits they should have an automatic right to access.
Simple technical measures, like home pages with easy read layouts, are available but often not even considered by government or businesses.
Channel 4 News would like to thank The Rix Centre, the user testers with learning disabilities from the Tower Project and Ellingham Employment Services and Mencap in the making of this report.
Further links
http://www.rixcentre.org/
The Rix Centre is a Research & Development Centre dedicated to the exploration of new media for the benefit of the learning disability community.
http://www.inclusivenewmedia.org/
Inclusive New Media Design is a research project which aims to identify the best ways to encourage web designers and developers to build websites accessible to people with intellectual disabilities.
http://www.ellingham.org.uk/
Ellingham are specialists in preparing & placing people with learning disabilities, many of whom may also have physical or sensory disabilities, into a range of employment opportunities throughout North East & Central London.
http://www.mencap.org.uk/
Mencap is the leading UK charity for people with a learning disability and their families.
http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/
United Response supports people with learning disabilities or mental health needs to live in the community, across England and in Wales.
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/
AbilityNet is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.
http://www.towerproject.org.uk/
The Tower Project is a local voluntary sector organisation providing a range of service on a number of fully accessible sites, to children, young people and adults with disabilities who live in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.
