100% Digital Leeds is working with our partners and people with learning disabilities and autistic people to facilitate a citywide network that helps provide solutions to the barriers to digital inclusion faced by people and the organisations that support them. It is our collective aim to create an inclusive, person-centred model of digital activity and participation.
The Autism and Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network (ALaDDIN) was originally created in response to the changes and challenges which organisations faced in adapting their delivery of services because of Covid-19. During the pandemic, and with the closure of physical spaces used by third sector organisations (many of which support people with learning disabilities and autistic people), 77% of these organisations have reported that a lack of digital access and skills has been a problem when engaging remotely with service users.
The network’s main aims are to:
- Develop training opportunities for individuals, family members, carers, support workers, and staff/volunteers at organisations.
- Share best practice, common challenges, and opportunities for funding and partnership working.
- Promote the Network as a unified and coordinated entity that has a greater combined influence.
Due to the success of this network, Leeds now has a dedicated Autism and Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Coordinator who chairs the network. The role has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and is matrix managed by Pyramid of Arts (third sector) and 100% Digital Leeds (Leeds City Council).
The Digital Inclusion Coordinator continues to work on other initiatives across Leeds to accelerate and maximise digital inclusion to achieve better outcomes for health and wellbeing for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. Current priority workstreams include:
- Using digital technologies to enable people in supported living environments and residential settings to learn new skills, access social activities, and increase their independence.
- Supporting organisations to use digital technologies to move people with learning disabilities and autistic people closer to employment.
- Supporting organisations to use accessible digital technologies to improve the health and wellbeing of autistic people and people with learning disabilities.
“Through attending ALaDDIN meetings I have been able to make connections with other organisations and from those create opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to before.”
Matt Bellbrough, Royal Mencap
The ALaDDIN Consultation Group is a network of individuals with learning disabilities dedicated to promoting digital inclusion. Meeting monthly at Pyramid, the group shares their personal experiences of digital exclusion to inform the work of the ALaDDIN network. Over the past months, the group has focused on building their own digital skills and empowering their peers, while also advising organisations on how to enhance the accessibility of their digital services for people with learning disabilities.
If you are interested in finding out more about digital inclusion for autistic people and people with learning disabilities, contact Nicky: nicky@pyramid.org.uk.