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Digital support we offer

Staying up-to-date with fast-paced technology can be challenging. We offer digital skills support so you, and your family, can make the most of your Family Fund technology grant and learn new online skills.

A boy using his iPad tablet with his mum and sister either side of him

Discover digital workshops

We offer digital workshops, to help families raising a disabled, or seriously ill, child to easily use their technology grants.

Sign-up for free sessions on how to use your iPad or tablet- from finding out how to make your device work for your child’s needs, to learning how to use parental controls. We also offer creative sessions for the whole family, using fun apps you can get on your iPad, for free.

An Apple certified trainer holding an iPad workshop
An Apple certified trainer holding an iPad workshop
Sign up for a free iPad workshop

Why are digital skills important for families with a disabled child?

Disabled people can experience digital exclusion in the UK and are more likely to face barriers getting online. These include accessibility and being in need of more adaptions, as well as costs and safety concerns.

We offer a discover digital programme, to help parents and carers learn new digital skills, so they can fully support their child in a digital world.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the training to other parents.”

What can you learn on the discover digital programme?

The first step, after getting your new apple device out of the box, is to open the settings application. We’ll help you adjust the settings, to make it work more easily and smoothly for you, and your child.

In our ‘getting started’ workshop, we’ll help you with the basics, before getting you started on next steps. Join us to learn how to:

  • find your way around the iPad
  • set up iPad shortcuts, to make your experience easier 
  • find options you might need in your settings application, and how to use these
  • use the Apple store to download apps onto your iPad

Depending on your child’s disability, learning how to tailor your iPad can really help support their individual needs. This can make learning easier or, just using the device, more fun.

In our ‘make it work for you’ workshop, we’ll help you use features already built into your iPad, to support your child. For example, if your child has a visual impairment, sensory processing needs, or a motor co-ordination disability. 

Join us to learn how to:

  • use the zoom feature to make text larger, so it’s easier to read
  • change the text and screen colour, for easier comprehension 
  • set up Siri so your iPad will talk directly to you
  • set up other spoken content features, like dictation (so your iPad will write for you).

An iPad can be an essential tool for a disabled child, or a child who has special educational needs. Managing access to the internet, or knowing where to find parental controls, can give you peace of mind when your child is using the device to learn, and play.

In our ‘staying safe’ workshop, we’ll help you support your child to stay safe when using their iPad. Join us to learn how to:

  • create passcodes
  • set time limits on apps
  • add restrictions to websites, or other content
  • download, and use, child friendly apps, like YouTube Kids

Social stories can help children with an autistic spectrum condition, and other additional needs. It helps them develop greater understanding about how the world around them works, and supports them to stay safe.

Using the clips app, we’ll show you how to plan your child’s next upcoming journey. This could be to school, or the shops for example. Developing the journey into a social story can help children feel secure and understand what to expect, when they are out and about.

Alongside learning the basics of your iPad, we know that having fun as a family is just as important. We offer a range of creative workshops, that offer fun learning opportunities for the whole family. Join us to learn how to:

  • make a movie using iMovie 
  • make a song using garageband 
  • take, and place, a mixture of photos to create your name, using clips
  • use animations to create a comic strip to tell your story, using clips

Or join us for themed workshops throughout the year. We’ll be getting creative and making Halloween, Easter and Christmas cards.

These creative workshops are aimed at children and young people, but we recommend you enjoy them as a family, as an adult needs to be present at all times.

What happens on an discover digital workshop?

Once you’ve booked onto an iPad workshop, you’ll receive an email confirming your place.

You’ll need your iPad and another device, like a smartphone or laptop, so you can access the virtual workshop through Zoom.

As the workshop approaches, our friendly digital team will call you, to introduce themselves. They’ll talk to you about the workshop and check if you have everything you need to take part. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions, or raise any specific needs your child may have before the workshop.

The day before the workshop, our team will email you the Zoom link you’ll need to join the workshop. If you have not used Zoom before, we’ll help you to get on to the session.

During the workshop, our accredited Apple Educator will share their iPad screen and talk through what to do. You can follow the trainer’s demonstration on your iPad at home. These workshops are very friendly and informal and you can ask questions, at any point in the workshop. There will also be a chance, at the end, to ask any questions.

“I would definitely recommend the training to a friend, because the trainer left time at the end for me to ask questions about what I wanted to know. They tailored the session to the specific needs of my family, which I probably wouldn’t have got out of a group session elsewhere.”

Join our Facebook community group Find out more about Discover Digital workshops and book your place
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Grants for tablets and computers

We partner with Stone to deliver computer and tablet grants. After receiving an iPad, mum Nikki attended one of our free Discover digital workshops, which helped her son Alex get the most out of his new device.
Read Alex's story