DIGI ACADEMY

SMH are delighted to partner with Trinity College Dublin and disability organisations across Ireland to support the development on an accessible digital skills e-learning video platform for people who require digital supports. This EU innovation project joins with partners across France, Sweden, Spain, Croatia and Ireland with the aim of supporting the digital inclusion of people with disabilities.

Sarah Boyne was chosen to represent SMH as paid member of the project Citizen Advisory Panel and plays an instrumental part as a collaborator with the DigiAcademy project team. Part of Sarah’s role is to advise researchers on what is important for people with intellectual disabilities and to review project materials and app design. Sarah did this through co-creation activities with her peers via user testing, focus groups and evaluation activities.

Sarah is also an important member of the “Teaching and Learning” team with DigiAcademy and is now a DigiAcademy teacher. DigiAcademy is an accessible, digital education platform co-designed by people who require accessibility supports to ensure the app is inclusive to everyone. She teaches and supports her peers in SMH to use the app and has also developed her presentation and communication skills.

“It is so important for our rights to be included and to know how to stand up for yourself…I love being part of the panel, I was bursting to tell people about it.

I love being a DigiAcadent teacher. I have met new people and enjoy working together as part of the DigiAcadent team. It feels really good for my confidence.”