What is the Digital Inclusion project? 

Being online is especially important during natural disaster like floods, cyclones, fires or during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Digital Inclusion project is bridging the digital divide and reducing barriers to people with disability getting online. We are supporting people with disability to learn how to use devices to access information, essential goods, services and supports.

The Project has been assisting people with disability to get devices through our partner GIVIT since January 2021. In total, 4278 items including smart phones, tablets, laptops and accessories have been provided to 2,500 people in the Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Townsville, and Moreton Bay regions. We have also assisted over 1,400 people through workshops and individual capacity building to access information, essential goods and supports online.

Accessing devices

Intake for digital device requests closed on 30 June 2023. Requests for devices received prior to 30 June will continue to be processed through GIVIT donations. If you are waiting for a device, the team will notify you as soon as it is ready.

If you or someone you support needs a digital device, GIVIT has a Need help page which contains a directory of other organisations that you can contact to assist with requesting a donation device.

Building digital skills and ability

The Digital Inclusion project team and our Digital Mentors are still delivering support for people build their digital skills during July and August 2023. Our formal workshop program is complete, however if you are an organisation that works directly with people with disability that need support building online skills, we can help you!!

Our team can design a workshop that meets your participant needs and interest based on the learning modules below. Content has been codesigned and is cofacilitated with our Digital Champions.

Please contact us if you think we can support your needs. Call 1800 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au.

About each module

Module 1: Learning the basics

Getting to know your device

Basic functions, charging my device, protecting my device, connecting to wifi, adding contacts, calls and texts.

Module 4: Accessing essential services

Telehealth and online shopping

Zoom, Teams and video calling, online grocery shopping, paying safely online.

Module 2: Being online & staying connected

Social contentedness

Emailing, finding up-to-date information safely online, social media.

Module 5: Staying safe online

Protecting your online presence

Passwords, 2-factor authentication, introduction to online safety.

Module 3: Staying informed online

Navigating apps

Downloading, managing, updating and deleting apps, navigating your home page.

Module 6: Data & affordability

Making informed choices to stay connected

What is data?, how can you use your data effectively?, comparing data plans with different telcos.

Blue circle with a white graphic of someone sitting at a desk working on a laptop. How you can help make a difference

1. You can donate a quality second-hand or new digital device, i.e., a smartphone, tablet, or laptop
OR
2. You can donate funds to the Digital Inclusion Appeal, or to an individual request

A purple circle with white cartoon eyes inside.Donating is easy

If you are an organisation or individual with electronic devices you no longer need, you can donate them to our project partner GIVIT. Go to our appeals page here.

"Issue Paper: Digital Inclusion, Disability, and Housing - A Research Initiative by the Digital Media Research Centre"

Digital Inclusion and Participation Research Program

Dr Km Osman, Dr Amber Marshall, Ms. Aimee Hourigan, & Ms. Fiona Malcolm

The AAA Digital Inclusion Project is a partnership between Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN), GIVIT, Volunteering Queensland, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and supported by Queensland Government. 

Row of five logos. GIVIT - Goods for good causes, Volunteering Queensland, QUT - Queensland University of Technology, QDN - Queenslanders with Disability Network, Queensland Government.