Family Fund Digitally Excluded research report

Salena Begley Salena Begley

Family Fund have today published our new research report, Digitally Excluded, which draws on responses from 660 families raising disabled or seriously ill children across the UK.

  • 93% of respondents are either digitally excluded or at risk of exclusion, due to wide-ranging factors, including not being able to afford internet access or digital devices and lacking digital skills and confidence
  • 89% of parents and carers with a disabled child are struggling to afford internet access and the cost of buying, maintaining, and replacing basic devices, apps and assistive software, due to the higher everyday costs of having a disabled person in your household (now estimated at over £1,000 a month more than non-disabled households)  
  • 57% of families find their internet service difficult to afford, with 32% of parents and carers limiting their own internet use to cut costs as well as cutting back on other things like food and heating to afford internet provision
  • 69% of families say it’s essential for their child to have access to online learning. Often this is in the context of situations where children can’t otherwise attend school or college in person or are being homeschooled. It’s particularly important in cases where children need access to assistive technologies to support their learning


Read the full report, including our recommendations here: Digitally Excluded 2026


About Family Fund:


As an established UK-wide charity, we provided more than 295,000 grants and services to families last year, including helping families get online and build digital confidence through accessible online workshops, festivals and wider resources. Our support included:

  • Over 19,400 grants for digital devices and apps last year alone 
  • Grants of essential items including household goods, specialist equipment and family breaks
  • Practical advice on maximising income and navigating digital barriers
  • Trusted, flexible, and family-centred support at critical moments.


Find out more here: Family Fund - Helping Disabled Children