AN innovative college has removed a barrier to learning using technology that allows its website to talk to students.
Darlington College has installed the diversity and inclusion tool ReceiteMe to help potential students who may have sight, learning or language issues that prevent them accessing the information they need.
Around a quarter of the population encounter barriers when exploring websites because they have a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or if they speak English as a second language.
ReciteMe allows them to listen to the sections of Darlington College website they need or change the fonts, text size, colours, underline the words with a virtual ruler, or use a ‘letterbox’ to highlight the areas they need to read.
The college helps learners of many nationalities and the system can also translate more than 100 languages with 65 text-to-speech and styling options.
Darlington College’s head of marketing and engagement Claire Hankey said: “The internet can be an incredibly intimidating place for those with access barriers and those lacking the tools they need to adequately understand or communicate are at a significant disadvantage.
So we are very keen to ensure that anyone looking at our website has all the tools they need to be able to do so in a way that is accessible to them.
“ReciteMe gives the user so many various options that the website really does become tailor made for individual needs. It could be that it helps to change the colour or font to assist in reading, or even have the website read aloud sections of interest. We have a lot of learners for whom English is not their first language, so it is hoped that the translation part of the toolbar will be especially helpful for them too.”
Recite Me’s Founder and CEO Ross Linnett added: “It is important to provide an inclusive online experience where everyone can use the digital world in a way which best suits their needs. With more accessibility tools online, those who face barriers can access information and services hassle-free. The digital world must be accessible for all.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.
