A recent Consumer Expert Group research report, commissioned by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in October 2009, highlighted the barriers many people with disabilities have when accessing the Internet and also provided valuable recommendations to central government.
The barriers disabled people face are actually very similar to non-disabled people, however, the solutions required differ immensely. With the launch of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation, and the appointment of Martha Lane Fox (national Digital Inclusion Champion) 2009 was the year this debate really took off in the political realm. Approximately 17 million people are digitally excluded, many of whom have disabilities. This report focuses on the disabled, and how this exclusion can be transformed.

Despite perhaps being the more hesitant in using technology, dad Simon showed that when it comes to online shopping he is willing to take the lead. Supported by Digital Birmingham’s Mike Farmer, who is helping the 