Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will meet with LightAware to discuss digital exclusion for light-sensitive people.

The Government’s ambition is simple: everyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to get connected and get online, safely and with confidence. That is why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and, in the year, since, over a million people have been supported to get online, more than 22,000 people have received a free device, and communities across the UK have benefited from the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

But we know some people have barriers to inclusion, including those who have visual impairments. That is why we are clear that essential public services should make their digital services accessible as well as maintain offline pathways like phone and face to face, for those that need them. We also recognise the valuable role that assistive technologies, like screen readers, can play in ensuring people with visual impairments can access essential public sector services online. We are also clear essential private sector digital services should be usable and accessible for all.

We are determined to help more people get connected and get online, safely and with confidence. My officials have offered a meeting with LightAware to discuss their concerns.