CHI Adds Translation and Read-Aloud Technology to Website

“Nobody cares that we have a new website.”

I’ve lost count of how often I’ve used this phrase with my non-communications colleagues as they’ve suggested that we issue a press release about a website redesign.

And yet here I am, going so far as to write a blog about the Colorado Health Institute’s updated website. It will streamline our content and make our publications easier to find and a lot better-looking.

But the part I’m excited about — the part that led me to abandon my notion that nobody cares about a new website — is the new accessibility option. With this update, CHI is providing a range of accessibility tools to help our website visitors to access content and services barrier-free.

Our accessibility features include screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customizable styling options, and a translation feature that offers more than 100 languages.

The LANGUAGE/ACCESSIBLITY button at the top of the page opens a visual toolbar that includes read-aloud options; buttons that allow users to adjust color, contrast, font, and font size; the Open Dyslexic font; and a list of languages for both text and read-aloud translation. The settings button on the right side  (it looks like a gear) allows users to customize their experience or revert to the original settings. And of course, it’s easy to click the X in the corner and opt out of the technology any time.

This functionality builds on CHI’s commitment to accessibility in our work.

The internet can be an intimidating place for those with access barriers, whether it be a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or speaking a language other than English. We hope that this new functionality will help minimize challenges for people who too often get left out.

As an organization committed to advancing equity and well-being in our communities, accessibility is important to us. We are dedicated to making sure all people can get information and services in a way that best meets their personal needs. The Recite Me toolbar compliments other efforts at CHI, which include offering more of our programs with language interpretation and ensuring that key documents meet other accessibility requirements.

We’re learning, and we don’t always get it right. But we hope these improvements are making a difference. 

We know that an off-the-shelf translation tool isn’t perfect, but we believe it is a significant step toward making our work more accessible. As with any new technology, we expect to have a few hiccups along the way, and we hope you’ll be patient with us as we refine the settings. We also hope you’ll feel free to reach out if you need assistance or support with accessing any information from CHI.

How to Use the Recite Me Web Accessibility and Language Toolbar

Recite Me is innovative cloud-based software that lets visitors view and use our website in a way that works best for them.

We’ve added the Recite Me web accessibility and language toolbar to our website to make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.

It helps one in four people in the US who have a disability, including those with common conditions like sight loss and dyslexia, access our website in the way that suits them best.

It also meets the needs of one in five people in the US who speak a language other than English at home, by translating our web content into over 100 different languages.

How do I access the Recite Me toolbar?

You can open the Recite Me language and accessibility toolbar by clicking on the LANGUAGE/ACCESSIBILITY button in the top left corner of every page of our website.

After you click on the LANGUAGE/ACCESSIBILITY, the Recite Me toolbar opens and displays several options for customizing the way the website looks and ways you can interact with the content.

 

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How does Recite Me help me access this website?

Recite Me helps people access our website and customize the content in a way that works best for them.

The Recite Me toolbar has a unique range of functions. You can use it to:

  • Read website text aloud (including PDFs)
  • Download the text as an MP3 file to play it where and when it suits you
  • Change font sizes and colors
  • Customize background color
  • Translate text into more than 100 different languages
  • Access a fully integrated dictionary and thesaurus

You can find out more about how Recite Me works from the Recite Me user guide.

Where can I find support for Recite Me?

If you have any questions about Recite Me you can contact the company by email at info@reciteme.com or call 571.946.4068.

Source: Recite Me