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Follow on Google News | Computer charity vows to help disabled people overcome internet challengesAn innovative Scottish charity, which helps the over 50s get in touch with computer technology, has become the latest group to join a national campaign to help people with disabilities overcome the challenges of using the internet.
Teaming up with Go ON Gold will help Third Age Computer Fun reinforce and build upon the invaluable work they are already doing to enrich the lives of older, often lonely and socially excluded people, with additional tools and services to enhance their online experience. Go ON Gold co-founder and chair of the RNIB Group, Kevin Carey, said: “More than half of the eight million UK citizens who have never used the internet are disabled. At a time when digital access plays an ever-increasing role in almost every aspect of our lives, these statistics are shocking and unacceptable. Our campaign highlights the help which is available, encourages others to help point non-users in the right direction and shows businesses and organisations how much society as a whole can gain by sharing such knowledge.” Third Age Computer Fun’s founder, Mamie Donald, added: “As a charity dedicated to promoting social interaction, self confidence and independent communication through increasing IT knowledge and skills, we are only too aware of the critical role that internet access can play within the disabled community. Our hard-to-reach members who are housebound or whose mobility is restricted have the most to gain from internet access. Being able to shop, bank, get library books and even order their repeat prescriptions online is a hugely liberating experience, not to mention the scope it gives them for making new friends and pursuing new interests!” The Go ON Gold website acts as a focus for key resources and expertise to help people get online and also features a number of videos by high profile disabled individuals such as leading Paralympian peer and disability rights campaigner, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. Go ON Gold is funded by social investor Nominet and intends to sign up 1,000 new digital champions over the next 12 months in the use of accessible technology, as well as more than 100 digital partners – organisations who want to help improve their own accessibility awareness in order to help others. It will also encourage businesses, organisations and policy makers to become more aware of the needs of disabled people and of the benefits to the economy of enabling everyone to be online. Supported by Go ON UK, a radical new partnership chaired by UK digital champion, Martha Lane-Fox, Go ON Gold is also backed by the BBC, Age UK, the Post Office, TalkTalk, Lloyds, the Big Lottery Fund and Eon. To find out about Go ON Gold and become a Digital Champion and help a disabled person to get online, visit: http://www.go- End
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