03.06.20
Browsealoud provide free access to web accessibility tool
Words provided by Texthelp, editorially reviewed by National Health Executive
In this time of increasing uncertainty and change, web accessibility is more important than ever. With social distancing measures in place, there is an increased reliance on the internet to access the goods, services and information we need.
It’s vitally important that the essential communication published online can be accessed and understood by every website user, including people who lack basic digital skills, and those with disabilities, neurodiversities and communication barriers.
That’s why Texthelp is offering organisations free 90-day access to its digital inclusion tool Browsealoud. For health organisations, Browsealoud provides your online audience with instant support to ensure that they can confidently access your vital and essential messages.
Browsealoud provides your users with all the features they need to:
- Hear content read aloud via the text-to-speech feature, making content easily accessible to people with dyslexia, reading difficulties and visual impairments
- Translate web pages into 99 languages, and hear translated text read aloud in 40 languages - a perfect support for English Language Learners
- Magnify on-screen text to assist users with visual impairments
- Convert text to audio files for offline listening with an MP3 generator
- Increase the ability to focus with a screen mask and reading pane
- Simplify web pages to remove ads and other distracting content, for easier reading
- Tailor their experience with custom settings, built in to suit individual user needs and preferences
Ruth Besford, Equality and Inclusion Officer at Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Browsealoud has made a really big difference to many of our users. Everything we do at Bridgewater is driven by equality of access.
“As healthcare service provision goes increasingly digital, Browsealoud really helps us get more content and resources onto the web in a way that all patients can directly benefit from.”
Trisha Lawless, Director of Child Development Programs at Markham Stouffville Hospital, added: “It’s a beautiful thing. Having information available to our patients through our website is essential.
“Since English isn’t the home language for many of the families we serve, Browsealoud has been integral to improving access to information for all our users.”
Join dozens of NHS Trusts making their websites and online services more accessible for patients and their families. Use Browsealoud for free or contact [email protected] for more information.