Digital poverty does not begin and end with a lack of internet access or devices.

It can also result from outdated software, inaccessible systems, limited income, geographical location, cultural factors, or low levels of digital literacy.

Behind every inaccessible platform or outdated system is a person navigating unnecessary barriers.

When digital tools are not designed with inclusion in mind, they restrict access to employment, education, public services, and social participation.

Join Passion4Social and guests for this 60-minute interactive webinar as we explore both the causes of digital poverty and the transformational impact of digital inclusion, considering how we can create digital environments where everyone can participate fully.

Participants will leave with:

A deeper understanding of what digital poverty really looks like
Strategies for assessing digital inclusion within their own organisation
Practical steps to move from awareness to action

On the day, Thiago Carmo will be joined by panellists Richard Paton and Natalie Bulloch from the Department for Work & Pensions and Michael Chamberlain-Cove from Lead Scotland, as they explore:

The concept of digital poverty and its origins

The structural, systemic, and societal causes of digital exclusion
The impact of digital poverty on individuals and organisations
The case for eradicating digital poverty: moral, business, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals
Panel discussion on practical, sustainable solutions for building an inclusive digital future

Meet our speakers

Meet Thiago Carmo

Thiago Carmo is the Managing Director of Passion4Social and a recognised leader in web accessibility and digital inclusion.

With over two decades of experience in accessibility, legal compliance, digital design, and marketing, Thiago is perfectly placed to lead this session.

With an MSc in Development Studies at the University of Glasgow and over two decades of experience in accessibility, legal compliance, digital design, and marketing, Thiago is perfectly placed to lead this session.

For more than eight years, Thiago has been at the forefront of a team, creating sustainable employment opportunities for people with disabilities and from minority backgrounds.

A key part of this impact has been the ‘Accessibility for All’ project — an initiative delivered in partnership with Connect Three and funded by the Scottish Government’s Workplace Equality Fund.

Under Thiago’s direction, the project has delivered nearly 200 accessibility audits across sectors and made real progress toward stronger accessibility legislation in Scotland.

Meet Michael Chamberlain-Cove

Michael Chamberlain-Cove has worked for Lead Scotland for 7 years in various roles, and is currently the Learning and Development Officer.

In this role, he runs the award-winning cyber project, which looks at boosting skills, confidence and knowledge in cyber resilience for disabled people, carers, and anyone facing barriers to being safe online.

Michael specialises in helping people take the next steps towards cyber safety, no matter where they are on their journey.

Meet Richard Paton

Richard Paton is one of the Disability Employment Adviser Leaders for the Job Centre covering Central Scotland District.

He has worked in the civil service for 25 years, covering a broad variety of customer-facing roles.

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Who should attend?

This webinar is suitable for:

Web developers and designers
Digital Leads and transformation teams
DEI professionals
Content creators
HR professionals
Accessibility specialists
Managers and policy makers
Anyone committed to advancing digital inclusion

Sign up now

As key services, employment opportunities, and community participation increasingly become digital-first, the risk of exclusion grows, making action more urgent than ever.

Reserve your free spot now.

Our services

We create accessible digital experiences powered by technology, human insight, and lived experience.

Our services are designed to be high-quality, yet affordable, enabling more organisations to take meaningful steps toward inclusion. By combining efficient processes with a mission-driven approach, we support clients to improve accessibility without unnecessary complexity or cost.

We offer a range of services to support your accessibility journey, including:

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