Scotland's Improvement Service (IS) has added a new tool to its digital public services platforms to improve accessibility.
It said the third party Recite Me widget helps developers create inclusive online experiences by providing accessibility and language options to enable everyone to customise a website in a way that works for them.
This example of web accessibility plug-in software allows users to do things like have website text read aloud to them (including off PDFs) or have it downloaded as an MP3 they can play at their leisure.
Controls include ‘rewind to the previous paragraph of text,’ or 'remove images and view in plain text mode.’
It also lets users change the colour and font size of what they are seeing to suit them better, includes support in the shape of a built-in screen reader for people with a visual impairment, and supports users who do not have English as their first language, with translation services with access to over 100 languages.
There are also personalised styling customisation options to help neurodivergent users.
Early implementations
The IS – which describes itself as the 'go-to' organisation for local government improvement in Scotland – says it has already added Recite Me to mygovscot myaccount, getyournec.scot and parentsportal.scot.
That should make everything from applications for Scottish National Entitlement Cards and free travel easier, it stated.
Commenting on the inclusion of the toolbar, Fiona Gray, digital public services project manager, said: “Recite Me will improve the accessibility of our digital platforms well beyond the requirements of UK legislation, making it easier for everyone to access the range of public services provided through the mygovscot myaccount platform.”
