November 11th 2026
Digital inclusion is about more than providing someone with a device. At L’Arche Liverpool, bringing together digital skills support, assistive technology and care technology training has helped show how technology can become part of a person’s everyday support.
Combining digital inclusion and care technology
L’Arche Liverpool supports around 40 people with learning disabilities at home and a further 50 through its day services. Sixteen people supported by L’Arche took part in LOGIN LCR, a Liverpool City Region digital inclusion programme providing devices, connectivity and digital skills training. The National Care Forum used its LOGIN allocation with members of its Adult Social Care Testbed, creating a link between LOGIN and the Introduction to Care Technology programme.
One participant has a learning disability and English is not their first language. The independent evaluation found that communication barriers contributed to reduced confidence and difficulties participating fully in daily activities. The participant also had limited confidence using digital technology independently, restricting access to hobbies, games and other digital activities.
The participant attended a LOGIN LCR training and skills session and received a tablet and six months of mobile data. The session focused on building confidence using technology and exploring digital activities linked to personal interests.
At the same time, three L’Arche staff members took part in the Introduction to Care Technologist programme. Through this, staff identified the Pocketalk S, a portable translation device that could support real-time, two-way communication between the participant and support staff.
Making communication easier
The introduction of the Pocketalk S enabled clearer communication in the participant’s first language. The evaluation reports that this supported greater participation in day-to-day activities and strengthened communication with support staff.
Alongside this, the tablet provided access to digital activities connected to the participant’s hobbies and interests. L’Arche recognised that developing confidence with the tablet would take time, so its use became part of the participant’s ongoing support rather than ending with the LOGIN training session.
Support workers continued to reinforce use of the tablet and Pocketalk S, integrating both technologies into everyday routines.
From a training session to everyday support
Bringing LOGIN together with the Care Technologist programme also gave L’Arche staff an opportunity to consider how technology could support other people in the community.
Staff who completed the Care Technologist training are now supporting people to get more from their LOGIN tablets, including helping them upload and view photographs, access games and interests, and connect with friends and family online.
The independent evaluation found that tablet use had already become part of L’Arche’s everyday support rather than remaining a standalone intervention.
For the participant using both the tablet and Pocketalk S, bringing the technologies together provided different forms of support: the translation device supported communication, while the tablet provided opportunities for choice, engagement and enjoyment through digital activities.
Key takeaway
The L’Arche experience shows the potential of bringing digital inclusion, assistive technology and workforce development together.
Instead of treating the provision of a device as the end point, L’Arche incorporated technology into existing support, with staff helping people use it in ways connected to their communication needs, relationships and interests.
The LOGIN LCR independent evaluation concludes that combining care-focused workforce development, assistive communication technology and device and data provision can support longer-term digital inclusion as well as learning across the organisation.
This case study was adapted from the LOGIN LCR: Independent Learning Review (June 2026) by Dr Jane Hobson, Independent Evaluation Consultant. The review was commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. LOGIN LCR was funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund .
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