Please note: In order to qualify for this program you must be receiving services as a client of Benevolent.
The Benevolent Society and Australia’s leading IT social enterprise, WorkVentures, have launched a new Digital Inclusion Program to provide technology access for clients with disability in regional communities.
The program promotes digital inclusion for people with disability by providing them with access to devices, online connectivity and support to improve digital literacy skills.
The pilot program launched in regional parts of South Australia and New South Wales with 60 families engaging in the partnership, ranging from young children to adults. It seeks to remove the barriers families face in these communities including accessibility, affordability, cyber safety and security.
The Benevolent Society’s Subject Matter Representative Shara says before the partnership commenced, the team ran a workshop with the participants to understand their needs and goals.
“The purpose of the co-design workshop was to understand how they would use the device and what their goals were to ensure that the training provided was tailored to their needs.”
The roll out, which commenced in November 2023, provided participants with a laptop computer, 12 months free internet connection and training and technical assistance from skilled coaches from WorkVentures.
South Australian Mother Danielle says the program has been beneficial for her three-year-old son Oliver, who was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay 12 months ago.
“We watch a lot of the educational videos together on the laptop like Number Blocks. He is learning to associate numbers with counting, and it has really helped him engage with imaginative play as well.”
Although Oliver is only three, Danielle has already noticed positive impacts on Oliver’s development and sees the opportunities it will bring when he starts school.
“Technology is a fantastic way to keep kids in touch with people in cities. A lot of kids, like Oliver don’t live close to their local school. Having this laptop will give Oliver the access to school resources he will need when that time comes.”
Jacob Muller Director of Technology and Social Impact Solutions at WorkVentures believes that the project isn’t just about providing accessibility to communities but ensuring clients and families are equipped with the confidence to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
“During the onboarding process we also addressed their questions or concerns about the devices. A lot of families never used a laptop before so as part of our coaching and tech support, we covered a range of topics to ensure they were not only comfortable using the device but also felt confident to access tools and resources online and broaden their skills”.
Jacob also says that the partnership is a way to provide people with disability to be empowered in the online world with reports of increased connectivity to local support networks.
“The opportunities that technology allows for people are just endless. It is the ability to connect communities to support networks they never knew existed. Many jobs today require digital literacy skills as well. It is weaved in pretty much everything that we do”.
Hear more about the Digital Inclusion Program in the video below!
To find out more about the Digital Inclusion Program call 1800 236 762.