Quickline tablets help visually impaired people in Ryedale get online

Visually impaired people in North Yorkshire will be able to build digital skills, access vital services and stay connected thanks to tablets donated to a charity working with communities across the Ryedale area.

Rural broadband provider Quickline gave the tablets to Sight Support Ryedale to support people living with sight loss across the area.

The devices will be used as part of Sight Support Ryedale's Digital Inclusion project, which runs one-to-one support sessions, group workshops and drop-ins at local libraries, GP surgeries and the charity's office.

Members will use the tablets to learn everything from the basics of switching on a device and connecting to Wi-Fi, to using accessibility features like screen readers, magnification and voice control.

As confidence grows, they will be able to explore apps and online services that make daily life easier, from managing appointments and prescriptions through the NHS App to reporting repairs, paying rent and contacting North Yorkshire Council departments online.

The four tablets will also be used alongside a Brailliant machine, a digital Braille device, during basic Braille teaching sessions.

Victoria Dean, Chief Officer at Sight Support Ryedale, said: “The donation will make a real difference to our Digital Inclusion project, helping people with sight loss build confidence with technology, develop digital skills and stay connected with family, friends and their local community.

“Technology is an essential part of everyday life and for people with a visual impairment it can be life changing. These tablets will help our members build digital skills, access vital information and services, maintain their independence and stay connected to their community.”

The donation forms part of Quickline's wider commitment to Project Gigabit in North Yorkshire, the government-funded programme bringing fast, reliable, gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to communities that would otherwise miss out. Across North Yorkshire, almost 12,000 publicly funded homes and businesses can now connect to Quickline’s full fibre network as a result of the programme rollout.

Communities set to benefit from Project Gigabit funding across Ryedale include villages and hamlets around Malton, Kirkbymoorside, Pickering and Helmsley. More than 3,000 homes and businesses across the region have already been reached, with almost 5,000 more due to follow as the rollout continues.

Beyond the infrastructure, Quickline works with local charities and community groups to help people build the skills and confidence they need to get online, find work, grow businesses and stay in touch with family and friends.

The East Yorkshire-based company has worked with Community First Yorkshire to identify organisations in need of support.

Amelia Williamson, Social Value Executive for North Yorkshire at Quickline, said: "It was a pleasure to visit Sight Support Ryedale and hand over the tablets in person.

"Technology can be life changing for people with a visual impairment, and we hope these devices help members build the skills and confidence to stay connected with the people and services that matter to them."

To find out more about how Quickline is supporting digital inclusion across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news.