Our program to close the digital divide for people with disability
Helping our community workers learn practical skills so they can support young people with intellectual disability to get online more safely and confidently. Expressions of Interest for this intake of the program are now closed
This program is for people passionate about digital inclusion and want to help young people with intellectual disability to get online more safely and confidently.
Our new initiative to bridge the digital divide for people with disability is beginning. We're working with organisations who expressed interest in April-May 2023 in taking part in our new free professional development program.
We're upskilling people who are passionate about closing the digital divide who have existing connections with people with intellectual disability or organisations that support them in our exciting new training program. The pilot professional development program is running from June to November 2023.
Help young people with disability get online
Watch this video to find out why working with young people with disability to get online confidently and safely is so important.
How this program will help
We’ve partnered with Down Syndrome Australia and created tailored learning resources for digital mentors, and the young people (18-24 year olds) they support with intellectual disability.
In this professional development program participants will:
- Attend 1 online professional development workshop to receive essential training and access to our new, tailored resources
- Provide free practical digital skills support to 5 young people with intellectual disability in your community using our learning resources to build your practical mentoring skills
- Capacity build 5 parents/carers of young people by informing them about this program and supports available to develop your practical community engagement skills
- Receive a tailored learning support phone call
- Attend 1 online reflective practice workshop to embed your learnings (November 2023) and report back on your experience in the program.
See project resources
Resources for this project are now available for digital mentors participating in the pilot.
Program outcomes
- Give your feedback to ensure the program helps more people close the digital divide
- Gain practical skills in digital mentoring young people with intellectual disability
- Support your community of young people with intellectual disability to get online more safely and confidently.
- Access tailored, digital upskilling resources you can use with your community
- Receive individual support for your learning and participation in the program
- Share learnings and experiences with others taking part in the program
Time commitment
- Two online workshops (4 hours total)
- We suggest allocating 15-20 hours for independent learning, reflection, and providing practical support in your community using the training/resources.
- You will have 6 months to complete the program (June - November 2023).
Cost and eligibility
- This program is free to participate in
- Your organisation must be a registered member of the Be Connected Network. It is free to join this network.
- Participants must have appropriate police checks/working with vulnerable people checks in place
- Your organisation must have existing connections with young people with intellectual disability (eg by running other support programs) and have an interest in running digital skills programs for this community.
Get involved
Expressions of interest for this intake have now closed. Subscribe to get our email updates to stay in touch with news about this program.
Our tips for making the most of the initiative:
We've designed this project to be flexible and easily 'plug-in' to your existing programs.
Consider your existing commitments
Delivering new projects can be tricky without a grant. Consider if you have existing funding arrangements or program commitments that can be combined with this project.
For example, if your funding body requires you to commit to delivering social inclusion support to a targeted population, consider incorporating this project. Our ready-to-use resources and training support will help you launch into the 'delivery phase' in no time!
Become part of a new digital inclusion movement
People in the program will be invited to a free specialised training workshop from Good Things Foundation. There are not a lot of opportunities to learn about how to improve digital inclusion for young people with intellectual disability. This is your chance to become part of a brand new digital inclusion movement.
More information
For more information about this program, including specific requirements please download the program overview.
Download program overview
Download program overview (accessible version)
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