Accessibility

Browsealoud

The Northern Housing Consortium have added Browsealoud to their website. Browsealoud adds speech to websites for those with dyslexia, literacy difficulties, visual impairments, or anyone who finds it difficult to read online. This is approximately 20% of the UK population. Browsealoud reads website content aloud to users whilst simultaneously highlighting the appropriate word. This feature improves comprehension and learning.

Tracy Fawcett, Marketing Manager at the Northern Housing Consortium, commented, "The Consortium re-branded in June, and the website was re-launched at this time. The site is a really important tool for us in terms of communicating with our Members, and we're always looking for ways to improve it and to increase its accessibility. We chose Browsealoud because it is easy to use and will help those visitors to the site who have mild visual impairments. We were so impressed with Browsealoud that we've negotiated a discount on behalf of our members, as we're confident it's something that they will wish to utilise."

Browsealoud is free of charge to users, with the cost covered by the Northern Housing Consortium. Users can choose to listen to a male or female voice and they can also listen to highlighted passages of text or whole pages being read aloud. Web visitors need only download the application once and then all websites on the internet that are Browsealoud-friendly can be read aloud for free.

Browsealoud already works with major housing groups including Hartlepool Housing, Wakefield District Housing, Prospect Community Housing, Genesis Housing Group, Broadacres Housing Association and many others. A full list of clients can be found at www.browsealoud.com.

If you are a member of the Northern Housing consortium and would like details of the discount available on Browsealoud, contact enquiries@northern-consortium.org.uk