Access to learning and support
- Formal group learning settings need to be complemented by different, more flexible styles of learning such as 1-to-1, ad hoc and drop-in sessions to accommodate those who find it difficult to commit to several sessions at the same time and place each week.
- Adapt support to people’s different learning styles.
- Promote the ‘Learn my Way’ online IT skills course for guided self-learning or deliver through VCSE partners.
- Consider making a digital skills assessment part of the local onboarding process for new immigrants and provide training to suit.
Community outreach
- Provide individuals with digital support in their homes through existing partners.
- Use existing disability transport infrastructure to help those with mobility issues or other disabilities attend digital learning venues.
- Train volunteers in the VCSE sector in basic digital skills so they can pass on that knowledge to others (‘paying it forward’).
Information format and flow
- Optimise PCC digital forms by working with representatives from groups who struggle the most e.g. visually impaired, neurodiverse, the elderly. Report issues to central government about problems with forms that are centrally controlled.
- Work with representatives from different groups to improve how digital information is presented. Using AI and voice technology to improve digital access for the visually impaired and the elderly.
- Find alternatives to social media to present latest council information more proactively.
- Websites are frequently not updated or too crowded with information to be user friendly for inexperienced users or users with reduced capacity.
- Ensure analogue channels e.g. telephone and face to face for council services are maintained for those who can’t go online whilst assisting all those who can/or could, to use the digital options available.
- Automate digital information dissemination (e.g. travel updates, surveys) to key VCSE groups and organisations so they can optimise the format and content for their audiences.
“I don’t use social media. Imagine having everything on your feed read out to you including ads” [visually impaired person].
