Usability and accessibility research
We believe in accessible communications for everyone.
This section covers research in a number of related areas: usability of devices and services, and accessibility, particularly in relation to older people and those with disabilities; specific communications technologies such as audio description and text relay; and the accessibility of communications services for the purposes of active citizenship.
The access and inclusion reports focus on issues such as take-up of services, devices, affordability and engagement with the communications market as well as outcomes for consumers in vulnerable circumstances in the sectors we regulate – broadband, phones, television and postal services.
These reports focus on consumers whose ability to participate in these markets and society may be affected by factors such as their age, disability, income and their experiences of the communications and postal markets.
We have conducted a wide variety of research into the various technologies and services available to widen communications access, for example relay services, apps, audio description, and subtitling.
Ofcom text relay services research Oct 2015
Ofcom seminar about usable and accessible smartphone and TV apps Jun 2013
Research into awareness of audio description Jun 2013
CSMG report on international deployments of video relay services Oct 2012
Ease of accessing bills Feb 2012
Ofcom relay services Feb 2011
Assistive technologies in communications: report on needs, new technologies and ongoing research Jul 2010
A study into the effectiveness of speech-to-text as an assistive tool in VoIP communications Jul 2010
Research into the awareness and use of audio description Sep 2009
Voice telephony services for deaf people Jul 2009
Voice calls for deaf people Jul 2009
Access services audio description: research into awareness levels Jul 2008
Ease-of-use issues with domestic electronic communications equipment Jul 2007
Research report: easy-to-use digital TV receivers (PDF) Apr 2007
Feasibility of additional telephone relay services Nov 2006
Provision of access services Mar 2006
Summary of research on the ease of use of domestic digital television equipment Mar 2006
Subtitling: an issue of speed Jan 2005
In an effort to understand consumers' needs, we research the experiences of disabled customers and other users of access services.
Disabled consumers' use of communications services 2016 (PDF, 3.3 MB) Jan 2017
Disability research - technical report 2016 (PDF, 165.3 KB) Jan 2017
Disabled consumers' use of communications services Oct 2015
Citizens and communications services Oct 2014
Disabled consumers' ownership of communications services Sep 2013
Services for disabled users of communications services Oct 2010
Next-generation services for older and disabled people Sep 2010
Disabilities mystery shopping – main report Aug 2010
People with visual impairments and communications services Nov 2008
Usability in the communications sector Jun 2008
Digital television switchover and disabled, older, isolated and low-income consumers Jun 2007
Universal service obligation: deaf and hearing-impaired consumers and text phone services Jun 2004
2020
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report 2020
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report Jan-Jul 2020
2019
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report 2019
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report Jan-Jul 2019
2018
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report 2018
Television and on-demand programme services: access services report Jan-Jul 2018
For older reports, see the National Archives.
We have conducted analysis looking at the proportion of UK households, with under 18’s in the household, who are digitally excluded including those who do not have access to the internet or connected devices at home, or have limited access to the internet and devices. This analysis looks at the likelihood of digital exclusion among these households, by socio-economic group. We also provide population estimates for the number of UK children impacted based on the analysis; these are provided as a range, with a lower and upper bound.
This analysis was conducted using Ofcom’s Technology Tracker 2020 (data tables can be found on our Statistical release calendar 2020). This survey tracks the attitudes and behaviour of UK consumers with respect to residential telecommunications, broadcasting and the internet.
Fieldwork for the Ofcom Technology Tracker CATI omnibus survey took place from the 12th February – 5th March 2021; selected data tables pertaining to digital exclusion of children in 2021 are published here. Further data from the survey, including key Technology Tracker statistics, will be published in May 2021.
Ofcom Technology Tracker 2021 CATI omnibus survey digital exclusion questions (PDF, 203.9 KB)
Ofcom Technology Tracker 2021 CATI omnibus survey respondent level data (CSV, 1.1 MB)
Ofcom Technology Tracker 2021 CATI omnibus survey respondent level data codebook (XLSX, 22.3 KB)
Ofcom Technology Tracker 2021 CATI omnibus survey digital exclusion data tables (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Ofcom Technology Tracker 2021 CATI omnibus survey Technical Report (PDF, 241.4 KB)
Fieldwork for this survey took place from 26 February – 10 March 2020. The survey looks at the access and use of communications devices and services among consumers with and without limiting or impacting conditions, and monitors the limitations and preventions of use caused by their limiting or impacting conditions.
Use of communication services, consumer omnibus (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Use of communication services, consumer omnibus – data tables (PDF, 872.8 KB)
Use of communication services, consumer omnibus 2020 – technical report (PDF, 168.1 KB)
Use of communication services, consumer omnibus 2020 – questionnaire (PDF, 207.4 KB)
We have conducted analysis looking at the proportion of UK adults who are digitally excluded, including those who do not use the internet or have access to the internet at home, or have access to any connected devices. This analysis looks at the likelihood of digital exclusion by a number of different characteristics including; age, living alone, having a condition that limits or impairs their use of communications services, being financially vulnerable, and having more than one of these characteristics. We also provide population estimates based on the analysis, which are provided as a range, with a lower and upper bound.
This analysis was conducted using Ofcom’s Use of communication services, consumer omnibus. This survey looks at the access and use of communications devices and services among non-disabled and disabled consumers, and monitoring disabled consumers’ limitations and preventions of use caused by their disability.
Use of communication services, consumer omnibus: digital exclusion analysis (XLSX, 24.2 KB)