For more than 35 years, the Welsh Refugee Council has supported sanctuary seekers and refugees in building new futures in Wales. In July, the organisation deepened its commitment to accessibility and inclusion by introducing the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar on its website, ensuring that refugees can access vital information in the languages that feel most familiar and supportive to them.
Meeting the Diverse Needs of Refugees
Refugees arriving in Wales bring with them a rich tapestry of languages and experiences. When the Welsh Refugee Council spent time listening to service users, several clear themes emerged:
- Many people would feel more confident using the website if information were available in their own language.
- Navigating large amounts of information, often in a second, third, or even fourth language, was overwhelming.
- Some users with visual impairments or learning difficulties found the website extremely difficult to use.
“People are working with complex information in their second, third, or even fourth language, and our website simply did not meet their needs.
“For those who also experience visual impairments and/or learning difficulties, using the charities website was near impossible. So, something needed to change.”
Rosa Brown, Communications and Engagement Officer, Welsh Refugee Council
Introducing the Recite Me Toolbar
With a clear understanding of what improvements were needed, the Welsh Refugee Council implemented the Recite Me Toolbar in July 2025 to better serve users who speak English as an additional language or who have disabilities or visual impairments.
Rosa continued, “We found the Recite Me tool and it sounded like the perfect fit to meet our challenges. Having so many languages on offer and the potential for people to translate written information and hear it aloud through the text-to-speech function sounded like a gamechanger.”
Users can read aloud using a screen reader, adjust the website’s appearance with styling and customisation tools, enhance comprehension with built-in reading aids, and even translate content into different languages.
The Positive Impact on Users
Since adding the toolbar, the Welsh Refugee Council has had positive feedback from users. In the first 3 months of adopting the toolbar, over 500 of their web pages have been viewed using the Recite Me Toolbar.
Users have already commented on the adoption:
“My day was made when we got this new piece of kit!”
“I like hearing it read the words out loud in my own language – it makes so much sense”
These comments highlight just how transformative accessible technology can be for people navigating complex information under challenging circumstances.
Ready to Transform Your Website?
The Welsh Refugee Council is proof that by using assistive technology, you can support your diverse users, enabling them to read and understand information in a language that works best for them.
Interested in starting your own accessibility journey? Contact Recite Me today to learn how we can help you create a digital environment that’s inclusive for all.
Get a free automated accessibility check of your websites homepage. This will identify and highlight any compliance issues on your website. Followed by recommendations on how to implement the necessary changes to make your website more accessible.
