Tackling digital poverty for a more inclusive web
As a front-end developer and accessibility professional, it matters to me that people with disabilities can use the sites I build. I put a lot of care and attention into this area of my work.
This year marks 25 years for the charity Digital Poverty Alliance. This milestone was celebrated alongside the Digital Inclusion Awards at the End Digital Poverty Gala Reception, where Studio 24 was proud to win an award for accessible services.
End Digital Poverty Day was launched by the Digital Poverty Alliance in 2023. This year it has been extended to a week of activities aimed at raising awareness of digital poverty and the practical action needed to end it.
Simon and Claire attended the End Digital Poverty Gala Reception on Thursday 10 September at the Royal Watercolour Society Gallery in London.
The gala celebrates signatories of the Charter of Digital Inclusion, whose work is widening access, strengthening skills, improving services and building partnerships. Studio 24 has been a signatory of the charter for two years.
It was great to meet other attendees, including Oxfordshire Youth, BornGood, RM, AbilityNet, Wikimedia, and the Digital Blacksmith. The RWS Gallery was a lovely venue with lots of beautiful art to inspire, and a delicious buffet was provided by Oitij-Jo Kitchen.
We were delighted to win an award for accessible services: for creating digital services that work for more people, removing barriers and making access more inclusive in practice.
Accessibility and sustainability are at the heart of the websites we build and maintain. We advocate for accessibility and sustainability by writing blog posts and giving talks locally, nationally and internationally. Accessible and sustainable websites support those people who don’t have the latest devices, unlimited data, and super-fast broadband.
This award means a lot to me and the team – we believe strongly in building accessible digital services to widen access to digital to as many people as possible. Since signing the Charter for Digital Inclusion, we’ve been talking more about digital poverty as a key part of web accessibility and sustainability. And we are committed to doing so to make the web a more equitable place.
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