Digital Inclusion – Gloucestershire Deaf Association

Gloucestershire Deaf Association (GDA) supports people living with deafness and hearing loss. Their mission is simple: to help people live independently and take part fully in society.

GDA work with people of all ages, from children to older adults. Their aim is to empower people to have a stronger voice and take part in their communities with confidence.

GDA focuses on reducing social isolation, promoting wellbeing, and encouraging community involvement. They run events, social activities, lunch clubs, information workshops, home visits, hearing aid clinics, interpreting services, and more. At the heart of their work is a strong belief: to educate is to empower. 

Connection to Barnwood Trust 

GDA applied for our digital inclusion funding after noticing a growing digital divide experienced in their community.

After COVID-19, the world moved quickly online. GDA noticed that many deaf people were being left behind. Barriers like a lack of digital skills and limited access to British Sign Language (BSL) information made it harder for them to connect.

They saw a big rise in queries about basic tech skills, like how to use mobile phones and Facebook. Deaf people sometimes miss out on learning that happens naturally through conversations in the hearing world. The funding offered a chance to bridge this gap and create accessible digital support. 

What happened? 

With Barnwood funding, GDA started some new projects: 

• They ran 6 “Digi Drop-ins” at their centre in Gloucester. BSL interpreters and local business volunteers supported the sessions. 

• They created a series of bitesize YouTube videos tackling common tech problems for their community.  

The work boosted digital confidence among GDA’s members. It also shone a light on the lack of accessible tech support for the Deaf community. GDA is now continuing to work with businesses, funders, and trustees to offer regular digital sessions and workshops. 

Making a difference

The changes have had a huge impact on GDA’s community. Their members feel more confident and independent when using technology. This has also helped improve their wellbeing and social connections. 

The GDA team is now more aware of digital barriers and better able to support their members. As a team, they have also improved staff skills through training on tools like Microsoft 365. This ensures the team use an inclusive approach which they promote externally. 

Advice to other organisations

Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, GDA shares this key message: