A NORTH-EAST tech firm that created an assistive tool bar to help people with disabilities better access websites via reading aids, translation tools and style has worked with a national disability organisation to launch its new website, further opening up services to those who need them most.

Gateshead-based Recite Me was created by Ross Linnett, who was diagnosed with dyslexia while at university, after realising traditional assistive technology was not helping him access the web effectively or at scale.

Recite Me, a cloud-based tool bar that works across devices, includes text to speech functionality, fully customisable styling features, reading aids and a translation tool with over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices and many other features, allowing users to customise web pages the in best way for them to access information.

The Northern Echo:

Lifeways, a support service for adults with diverse needs, has introduced the tool to its new website.

This additional accessibility support will enable staff and website visitors to read and understand information more easily.

Across the UK, 20 per cent of the population has some form of disability, and one in seven people are neurodivergent, meaning that they can find accessing online content challenging.

Ross Linnett, founder and chief executive of the tech firm, said: “Recite Me is proud to support Lifeways in launching their new fully inclusive website.

The Northern Echo:

"Our accessibility and language support removes barriers to enable staff and website visitors to read and understand important information easily online.

"Assistive technology give everyone visiting the Lifeways website the ability customise their experience to suit their individual needs.”

Deborah Jones, head of marketing at Lifeways, said: “It is important that we make access to our services and finding information as easy as possible for all our website users and making the Recite Me tool available for users with accessibility issues, ensures that everyone will now be able to enjoy the same experience.”