Scope
Description
Despite the growing use on online services, understanding how disabled and neurodiverse individuals experience harms within these digital environments remains limited. Existing research, such as Ofcom's findings, highlights that more individuals with limiting conditions see harmful content compared to those without, but these insights are fragmented and fail to capture escalating risks across different disabilities and neurodiverse conditions. Current strategies for harm reduction are largely advisory and rely on user vigilance, leaving substantial gaps in effective, systemic protections. Thus this project will attempt to address these concerns through a literature review looking into the online experience of disabled and neurodiverse users, and optional functionality review which would look at the current state of mainly social media sites to see if features or functions present could be adversely affecting users. Ending with a selection of interviews with users or those who represent the target demographics to see understand if the lived experiences match up with what was found within the previous stages.
Total value (estimated)
- £40,000 excluding VAT
- £40,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 1 August 2026
- 4 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
- 79315000 - Social research services
- 79417000 - Safety consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
24 January 2026
Engagement process description
If interested in this procurement please contact eleanor.woodfield@dsit.gov.uk, we would be interested to hear from suppliers in regard to proposed methodology and potential costs, as well as realistic timescales in order to complete the proposed project.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 March 2026
Contracting authority
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWZ-3216-PVQL
22 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government