We’re thrilled to share some exciting news – Sight Matters, working alongside our technology partner SQR, has been recognised at the Digital Poverty Alliance Awards 2025. Together, we won the Digital Inclusion Prize for Ensuring Accessible Services – Innovation Award!

This award is all about making sure that no one is left behind in today’s digital world. While many online services say they are “accessible,” the reality can be very different for people who are blind or visually impaired. That’s why we’ve been so proud to work with SQR on a project that puts real lived experience at the centre of digital development.

Accessibility testing with experts – our members

A key part of this work has been running accessibility testing sessions right here at Sight Matters. In these sessions, our members take the lead as topic experts. They share first-hand how they use websites, apps, and online platforms, and they show the challenges that can make things unnecessarily complicated or frustrating.

Instead of simply following checklists or guidelines, developers get to see exactly what works and what doesn’t in practice. This means changes can be made that don’t just tick boxes, but actually make digital tools usable and enjoyable for people with sight loss.

Recognition beyond the Isle of Man

To have this project recognised at the Digital Poverty Alliance Awards is a huge honour. It highlights that innovation happening on the Isle of Man can inspire change well beyond our shores.

Our Fundraising and Marketing Lead, Peter Marshall, summed it up perfectly:

“Digital accessibility is not just a technical challenge – it’s about ensuring fairness, independence, and opportunity for everyone. This award reflects the belief that no one should be excluded from the digital world, and we’re proud to be working with SQR to make that vision a reality.”

Looking ahead

This is only the beginning. More organisations are already coming on board with the project, which means even more opportunities for our members to shape how digital services are built and improved. By continuing to work with SQR, we’ll make sure that accessibility isn’t an afterthought – it’s built in from the start.

We’re incredibly proud of our community for playing such an important role in this achievement. Every member who has taken part in an accessibility session has made a real difference, and this award belongs to them as much as it does to us.