Digital needs for all

Accessibility may get people onto your website. Digital literacy determines whether they can actually use the website and access your service or business once they're there.

Can the people who most need your information successfully complete a task on your website today?

"Lower literacy is the Web's biggest accessibility problem, but nobody cares about this massive user group."

Jakob Nielsen, 2006

Nearly 20 years later, this challenge remains ignored.

Around 44% of Australian adults have low literacy skills. However, an even larger group may struggle with the digital skills needed to access information, complete tasks, and participate fully in modern life.

Many people who can confidently read printed information find digital systems difficult or impossible to navigate. Whether accessing government services, completing forms, finding important information online or wanting to ask a question, digital environments create barriers that continually exclude many.

As governments and organisations continue to move towards digital-first services, how sure are you that everyone can access and use what you create?

Join us for this practical webinar as we explore digital literacy, the barriers people experience and what designers, communicators, service providers and organisations can begin to do to create more inclusive digital experiences.

Learning objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the relationship between literacy, digital literacy and digital inclusion.

2. Recognise the scale and diversity of people affected by low digital literacy.

3. Identify common barriers people experience when accessing digital content and services.

4. Explore practical tips to plan for and design more inclusive digital information and interactions. 
   

When:    Thursday, 12 November 2026

Where:   Online via Zoom

Time:     2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Melbourne time (AEST Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Cost:      $100 + gst

This workshop is limited to 25 participants.

Suitable for
Anyone who wants to know more about how literacy affects consumers’ use of the internet and digital tools: website content writers, website developers, social media managers, communications staff, human services workers, disability advocates, teachers, community educators, researchers, report writers, NDIS staff & providers, My Aged Care staff & providers, project workers, health promotion staff…

Not sure if this training is right for you?

Find out more about Access Easy English and browse examples of our work at https://accesseasyenglish.com.au

Or Call Cathy Basterfield on 0466 579 855 or email cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au 

Bookings

Confirm your registration and pay with a Credit Card using the Humanitix 'Get tickets' tab

or

Request an invoice for Accounts Payable. Email cathy@accesseasyenglish.com.au

Cathy Basterfield is a speech pathologist with almost 40 years' experience and a recognised pioneer of Easy English in Australia.

For more than 20 years, Cathy has worked at the intersection of literacy, communication and accessibility, developing the quality standards and writing guidelines that underpin evidence-based Easy English. Her work has influenced organisations across Australia and internationally.

A published author and sought-after conference presenter, Cathy brings a practical, research-informed perspective to accessible communication. Her expertise spans Easy English, digital inclusion, literacy and the barriers that prevent people from accessing information and services.

Cathy and her team are recognised for their Easy English work with multiple national and international awards:

• Australian Enablement Award 2026, 2022 - Most Outstanding Communicator in the NDIS Sector in Australia

• International Zero Project Shortlist for 2023

• International Global Award 2022 – Most Outstanding Communicator for People with Disability in the World

• APAC Insider Small Business Award 2022 for our Easy English training

• Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI ) – COVIDSafe Business Community Award Finalist 2022. For our pro bono COVID19 content development.

See more at www.accesseasyenglish.com.au   and www.readee.com.au

Your presenters for this webinar are

(1) Jodie van de Wetering.  Jodie was an ABC reporter and broadcaster for 13 years, including work for The Queensland Country Hour and regional postings across Queensland and New South Wales.  They are also experienced in corporate communications in the disability sector, supporting agencies’ communication with service users, stakeholders, funding partners and the broader public. As a specialist content writer with Access Easy English they create accessible resources so everybody, of all backgrounds and abilities, has access to information they need to be informed, safe and empowered. 

(2) Damien Basterfield. Damien manages the Access Easy English virtual office and websites. Applying the evidence, he works with people with low digital literacy and low literacy to design, develop and continue to evolve our second website for people with low digital literacy. www.readee.com.au