Announcements

Good Things Foundation Australia named auDA Foundation 2021 Grant Program recipient

Funding to help close the digital divide for young people with intellectual disabilities.

By Good Things Foundation Australia · 01/02/2022

Good Things Foundation Australia has been selected as an auDA Foundation 2021 Grant Program recipient to help improve digital inclusion for young people with intellectual disability.

The auDA Foundation Grant 2021 Program awarded grants worth $40,000 each to 15 initiatives across the nation to enhance the utility of the internet for Australians.

With the funding from the auDA Foundation 2021 grant, we will be collaborating with Down Syndrome Australia to develop and pilot digital literacy resources and an assessment tool to help improve the digital skills and inclusion of young people with intellectual disability.

It is vital that everyone has the affordable access, digital capability and confidence they need to participate online. Digital inclusion supports social inclusion, access to essential services, and participation in activities that promote social and economic independence. Yet, people with a disability are more likely to be highly digitally excluded (ADII 2021) and 28% of people with a disability aged 15 years and older do not use the internet (ABS 2018). For many with disability, a lack of confidence or knowledge about the internet is a key barrier to getting online (ABS 2018).

Our resources will help encourage online participation and narrow the digital divide for young people with intellectual disability by supporting them to feel more confident, capable, safe and connected online.

We look forward to this project and will be sharing further updates in the future.