Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust now provides an inclusive online experience to enable website visitors to access online content and services in a way that best suits their needs.

Visitors to the Trust’s website are now able to access a wide range of accessibility and language support tools to customise their digital experience through Recite Me assistive technology.

Providing an inclusive experience is essential to support over 20% of the population who may encounter barriers when exploring online content due to having a disability, learning difficulty, visually impairment or if they speak English as a second language.

As lead provider for mental health, learning disability and autism services in the Black Country, it is vital that the Trust makes its website accessible to all of the community it serves.

The Recite Me assistive toolbar on the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options and an on-demand live translation feature that includes over 100 languages including 65 texts to speech and styling options. 

Ashi Williams, Chief People Officer at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Accessibility is extremely important to us at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. We want to ensure that everyone across our community can access information and services in a way that best suits their individual needs.

“Inclusion is at the heart of what we do so we can help create happier and healthier communities across the Black Country, so we are incredibly proud to be able to provide Recite Me’s innovative assistive technology across our website.”

The online world can be an intimidating place for those with access barriers, and those lacking the tools they need to adequately understand or communicate are at a significant disadvantage. 

Ross Linnett Recite Me’s Founder and CEO said: “It is important to provide an inclusive online experience, where everyone can use our digital world in a way in which best suits their needs. As more organisations provide accessibility tools online, those who face online barriers can access information and services hassle-free. The digital world must be accessible for all.”

To explore the Trust’s accessibility support tool, visit the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website and click the ‘Accessibility and Language Options’ button at the top of the page.