March 6th - 2011 - Communications Minister, Ed Vaizey and TV presenter, Mariella Frostrup, are just two of the names getting behind this year’s UK Technology4Good Awards - a national competition to encourage digital inclusion in the community. They are urging businesses, charities, schools, social enterprises and individuals to enter the awards when nominations open on 7th March 2012.
Launched for the first time last year when it attracted over 250 entries, Technology4Good Awards is the brainchild of e-Accessibility charity, AbilityNet. With sponsorship from BT and other technology companies, the Awards Ceremony is compèred by Mariella Frostrup.
Mr Vaizey said:
“Digital technology has changed the way we do so much and has opened up a world of new possibilities. Staying in touch with family and friends, shopping in far-off stores and accessing essential services have become so much easier thanks to the Internet.
“Some of those who could benefit most from the digital revolution are currently being excluded. We must ensure technology is accessible to as many people as possible. The Technology4Good Awards are an excellent way of recognising new and innovative ideas that will grow new markets and deliver the benefits of the digital world to more people.”
The UK Technology4Good Awards celebrate the many ways that technology contributes to the greater good in categories such as innovation and community impact, volunteering and fundraising.
Last year, Lifelites, a charity which brings digital fun and learning opportunities to 5,000 children in hospices nationwide, was the toast of the first Technology4Good Awards, winning both the Accessibility Award and the Best in Show.
Other winners included silver surfing ambassador, Colin Crook, who helps sheltered housing residents get on-line; Taylors/Starting Point - a community cybercafé which grew out of a fish and chip shop in Stockport and Vintage Radio – a Merseyside-based, on-line radio station for the over 50s.
Technology4Good Awards are free to enter and the deadline for submission is 18th May 2012.
Ends
For further information, contact the AbilityNet Press Officer:
Carrie Saint Freedman
Tel: 01926 429595
Mob: 07733227003
Email:abilitynet.pressoffice[at]abilitynet[dot]org.uk
www.technology4goodawards.org.ukEditors’ Notes
Launched in 2011 the UK Technology4Good Awards celebrate the many ways that people are using computers and the internet to the benefit of their communities.
They are organised by AbilityNet and BT, with support from Barclaycard, Charity Technology Trust, IT4Communities, Microsoft, RaceOnline2012, UK online centres and Media Partner, Third Sector magazine.
Nominations are open from 7 March 2012 in the following categories:
Accessibility Award
BT Get IT Together Award
Community Impact Award
Community Voices Award
Fundraising Award
Innovation Award
IT Volunteer of the Year Award
Working Together Award
About AbilityNet
National e-Accessiblity charity, AbilityNet, has over 20 years’ experience enabling people with disabilities to access technology and the internet at home, at work and in education. Globally acclaimed for its expertise in both workplace disability management as well as on-line usability and accessibility issues, AbilityNet has worked with clients in the private, public and voluntary sector including all major Departments of State and many FTSE top 100 indexed companies. The Charity’s Patrons are Sir Terry Pratchett OBE and UK Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox.
www.abilitynet.org.ukDistributed on behalf of AbilityNet by NeonDrum news distribution service (
http://www.neondrum.com)
