Digital Literacy Catch Up Guide
Living Unlimited Team
Technology is not optional anymore. Government services, healthcare, banking, job applications, social connection, they have all moved online. If you are not connected, you are locked out.
But getting online should not require spending money you do not have or navigating a maze of technical jargon. This guide is for people with disabilities who want to catch up on digital skills and get connected. We cover choosing accessible devices on a budget, setting up the accessibility features that are already built into your device, finding affordable internet, learning basic online skills, and using AI tools to gain independence.
Last updated: June 2026.
Chapter 1: Choosing Your Device
What you need depends on what you will use it for.
Simple tasks (email, video calls, checking government websites). A tablet is often the best choice. Tablets are cheaper than laptops, easier to hold, and large screens help with visibility. If you have limited hand function, voice control works on most tablets.
More complex tasks (job searches, detailed forms, managing money, learning new skills). A laptop gives you more control and flexibility. Laptops also let you use keyboard shortcuts and voice typing, which helps if typing is difficult.
Voice-first option. If using a screen is not possible for you, a smart speaker (like Amazon Echo or Google Home) can handle many daily tasks: setting reminders, playing music, checking weather, making calls, even ordering groceries.
Budget options
Refurbished devices cost $100-300 and work as well as new ones. Businesses upgrade their computers regularly, so refurbished models are reliable and tested. Check Amazon Renewed, Best Buy, or local computer repair shops.
Community computer access. Libraries lend Chromebooks and tablets for free, sometimes for weeks at a time. Some disability organizations and nonprofits offer device lending programs or help you get low-cost devices. Call your local library or search Community Computing programs in your province.
Library computers. If you do not own a device, most libraries have computers you can use for free, with staff available to help.
Device comparison for specific disabilities
Chapter 2: Setting Up Accessibility (the Basics)
Every mainstream device has accessibility features built in. You do not need to buy specialized software. These features are free.
iPhones and iPads
VoiceOver (screen reader)
Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver. Turn on. You will hear text read aloud. Swipe right to move to the next item, left to go back. Tap twice to select.
Text size
Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Accessibility Sizes. Move the slider to your preferred size. Text will be larger everywhere.
Switch Control (one-button access)
Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control. Turn on. You can press a button to move through items on screen.
AssistiveTouch (button-free control)
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. A floating menu button appears. Use it instead of physical buttons.
Voice Control (speak to control phone)
Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control. Say commands like 'open Mail' or 'go home'.
Android phones and tablets
TalkBack (screen reader)
Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack. Turn on. You will hear text read aloud. Swipe right twice for next item, left twice for previous item.
Text size
Settings > Accessibility > Display & Brightness > Font Size. Move the slider to your preferred size.
Magnification
Settings > Accessibility > Magnification. Turn on. Triple-tap the screen to zoom in and out.
Voice access
Settings > Accessibility > Voice Access. Speak commands like 'open Gmail' or 'scroll down'.
Switch Access
Settings > Accessibility > Switch Access. Control the phone with an external switch or keyboard.
Windows computers
Narrator (screen reader)
Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator. Turn on. Narrator will read text aloud.
Magnifier
Windows button + Plus (+). The screen will zoom in. Use Plus to zoom more, Minus to zoom out.
Voice typing
Click in a text field. Windows button + H. Speak your message. Punctuation is automatic.
High contrast
Settings > Ease of Access > High Contrast. Choose a theme with dark text on light background or light on dark.
Eye control
Settings > Ease of Access > Eye Control. Use eye tracking to move the cursor and click (requires compatible hardware).
Mac computers
VoiceOver (screen reader)
Apple menu > System Preferences > Accessibility > VoiceOver. Turn on. Text will be read aloud.
Zoom
Apple menu > System Preferences > Accessibility > Zoom. Turn on. Use Control + scroll wheel to zoom in and out.
Dictation
Any text field: Fn + Fn (or Command + Space, depending on settings). Speak your message.
Reduce transparency
Apple menu > System Preferences > Accessibility > Display. Turn on Reduce Transparency. Windows are less see-through.
Switch Control
Apple menu > System Preferences > Accessibility > Switch Control. Use an external switch to navigate.
Chromebooks
ChromeVox (screen reader)
Settings > Accessibility > ChromeVox. Turn on. Text will be read aloud.
Magnification
Settings > Accessibility > Magnification. Turn on. Use Ctrl + search button + plus to zoom in.
High contrast
Settings > Accessibility > High Contrast. Turn on. Text becomes easier to read.
Voice Input
Settings > Device > Keyboard > Enable experimental voice input. Click the microphone icon and speak.
The key message: accessibility features are there. You do not need technical knowledge to turn them on. If you get stuck, ask a librarian or someone at a community tech centre for help.
Chapter 3: Getting Connected
Internet options
Home broadband. If you can get a fixed internet connection at home (cable, DSL, fiber, wireless home internet), this is usually the most affordable and stable option. Speed and cost vary by location and provider.
Mobile data. A smartphone or tablet with a data plan lets you access the internet anywhere. Plans range from $15-50 per month depending on data limits.
Public WiFi. Libraries, community centres, coffee shops, and some parks offer free WiFi. It is not a substitute for home internet, but it works in a pinch.
Affordable internet in Canada
Connecting Families Initiative. Eligibility differs for families and for seniors, and the difference matters. Families qualify if they receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit. Seniors qualify if they receive at least 80 per cent of the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement, not the full maximum. If you are a senior on GIS and have assumed you do not qualify because you are not at the maximum, check again: the threshold is lower than people expect.
Two plans are offered. The $20 a month plan is up to 50 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload, with a minimum of 200 GB of data. The $10 a month plan is up to 10 Mbps with up to 100 GB. Eligible households can also request a low-cost device, while supplies last, which is worth asking about if you do not have one.
You cannot apply directly. Eligibility is confirmed annually by the Government of Canada, and if you qualify you receive a letter in the mail with an access code. If you believe you should have received one and did not, contact the program rather than assuming you were excluded. Major providers participate, including Rogers, TELUS, Shaw, Bell, and SaskTel.
ISP low-income plans. Bell, TELUS, Shaw, Rogers, and others offer discounted plans to eligible low-income families outside the Connecting Families program. Speeds and prices vary. Contact your local provider directly or ask a librarian to help you find out what is available in your area.
Cell phone plans. Major carriers (Bell, Rogers, TELUS) offer budget plans with 4-10 GB of data for $25-40 per month. Smaller carriers like Koodo, Fido, and Virgin Plus often have lower-cost plans.
Library internet. Most libraries offer free internet at their computers and many now offer free public WiFi in the building and in the parking lot. Staff can help you get set up.
Chapter 4: Essential Skills
Email is how you send and receive messages. Most email is free. Gmail (from Google) is the most popular. To set up an email:
1. Go to gmail.com
2. Click Create Account
3. Fill in your name, choose a username (your email address), create a password. Write your password down in a safe place
4. Answer security questions so you can recover your account if you forget the password
5. You now have an email address, like yourname@gmail.com
To read an email: click on it. To write a new email: click Compose, type the recipient's email address, add a subject line, write your message, click Send.
Web browsing
Use a search engine like Google to find information. Type your question in the search box. Click on links that look relevant. Tip: not everything on the internet is accurate. Check two or three sources before trusting something. Government websites and major news outlets are generally reliable.
Spotting scams. If someone asks for your password, bank details, or social insurance number online, it is probably a scam. Real organizations never ask for passwords via email. Do not click links in emails from people you do not know.
Video calls
Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet are free video calling apps. Most are easy to use: click a link, allow camera and microphone access, and start talking. These are essential for medical appointments, job interviews, and staying connected with family.
Online banking
Online banking lets you check your balance, pay bills, and send money without going to the bank. Every major bank in Canada has a website or app. To set up online banking, visit your bank's website, click Log In or Sign Up, follow the steps to create a username and password. Use a strong password (mix letters, numbers, and symbols). Never share your password.
Government services
My Service Canada Account. Access Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan, Canada Child Benefit, and other federal services. Go to Canada.ca, search My Service Canada Account, and sign up. You will need to verify your identity.
CRA My Account. Check your tax returns, claims, and benefits with the Canada Revenue Agency. Go to Canada.ca, search CRA My Account, and sign up.
Provincial services vary. Search for your province's online services portal. Many offer driver's license renewal, health benefits, and other services online.
Online shopping
Amazon and other retailers let you shop from home. Use a credit or debit card to pay. Accessibility tip: most retail websites are readable by screen readers, but some are not. If you have trouble, call their customer service number. Real retailers always have a phone number.
Stay safe: use a secure password, check that the website address starts with https (the s means secure), never enter your password on a site that does not look official, and check reviews before buying from a new seller.
Chapter 5: AI Tools for Independence
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help you do things that would otherwise be hard or impossible. Here are the most useful ones.
Voice assistants for daily tasks
Siri (Apple), Google Assistant, and Alexa (Amazon) are voice assistants on phones and smart speakers. You can say: 'Set a reminder for my doctor's appointment,' 'What is the weather?', 'Play music,' 'Call my daughter,' 'Order groceries.' They work hands-free, which is helpful if you have limited hand function.
AI transcription for Deaf or hard of hearing people
Live transcription apps turn speech into text in real time. Otter.ai, Google Meet, and Zoom all offer transcription. In Zoom, click the CC (captions) button to see live text of what people are saying. In Google Meet, the same feature is called Live Captions.
AI image description for blind or low-vision people
Be My Eyes (app) connects you to a sighted volunteer who describes what your camera sees in real time. Use it to identify products in your home, read labels, or navigate unfamiliar spaces. It is free for people who are blind or low vision.
AI writing assistance for cognitive or learning disabilities
Grammarly checks your writing for spelling, grammar, and tone. It is free (with a paid upgrade). Use it when writing emails, forms, or job applications. Hemingway Editor highlights complex sentences so you can simplify your writing.
ChatGPT and AI assistants
ChatGPT (openai.com) is a free AI that answers questions, helps you write, explains things, and brainstorms ideas. Use it to draft emails, practice for interviews, understand difficult topics, or get help organizing your thoughts. Be aware: AI sometimes makes mistakes. Always fact-check important information.
Privacy considerations
Do not share passwords, banking information, health details, or personal documents with AI tools. Do not use AI to write or send sensitive information. Government and medical data should stay private. When in doubt, ask yourself: would I be comfortable if this information appeared on the internet? If not, do not put it in an AI tool.
Chapter 6: Where to Get Help
In-person tech training programs
Many community centres, disability organizations, and nonprofits offer free or low-cost technology classes. These are taught by real people, one-on-one or in small groups. Search for 'digital literacy training' and your city name, or call your local disability organization.
Library digital literacy programs
Public libraries across Canada offer free technology classes: email basics, internet safety, how to use your phone or tablet, how to access government services online. Librarians are trained to help people new to technology. No experience needed. Check your library's website or call to ask what classes are coming up.
Provincial assistive technology centres
Every province has an assistive technology centre where you can try devices, get training, and find information about accessibility. In Ontario, it is the Assistive Devices Program. In British Columbia, Assistive Technology BC. Search online for your province plus 'assistive technology centre.'
Online communities and forums
Reddit, Facebook groups, and accessibility forums have people who love helping others get online. Search for your disability type plus 'technology community' or 'tech help.' These are free and available any time.
You deserve to be online.
The digital divide is real, but it is not your fault and it is not permanent. Every step you take, from choosing your first device to sending your first email, is progress. Start with what you need most: communication with family, access to healthcare, a job application, or just getting curious about what the internet can do.
Accessibility features exist because designers understood that technology should work for everyone, not just people with no disabilities. You are not asking for a favour when you turn on screen readers or large text. These are tools that were built for you.
Reach out. If you are stuck, ask a librarian, call a disability organization, join an online community. Technology is easier when you are not alone.
Sources. Connecting Families Initiative and its eligibility criteria, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Apple Accessibility and Google Accessibility for current settings paths on each platform.
Plan prices, data limits and menu paths change. Settings locations in particular move between operating system versions, so if a path here does not match your device, search your settings for the feature name. Confirm current Connecting Families terms with the program before relying on them.