Get Your Free Accessibility & Inclusion Toolkit
Download NowThe Energy Charter sets out a powerful vision: an energy industry that centres customers and communities. Its five guiding principles help shape the energy sector by focusing on inclusion, value, safety, and support. For organisations aligned with this vision, whether members or supporters, accessibility and digital inclusion must be at the forefront.
Why Accessibility Matters to the Energy Charter
The Energy Charter is a one-of-a-kind, CEO-led coalition of energy organisations united by a shared passion for creating a better energy future for all Australians. Energy providers who are part of or aligned with the Energy Charter have a responsibility to ensure every Australian, regardless of ability, language, or background, can access essential energy services with ease.
The Energy Charter outlines 5 key principles that guide participating organisations:
Customer-centric culture
Improving energy affordability and value
Providing energy safely, sustainably, and reliably
Enhancing the customer and community experience
Supporting vulnerable customers and communities
While all 5 principles benefit from greater accessibility, supporting vulnerable customers aligns directly with the importance of digital inclusion.
People living with disabilities, those with cognitive or neurodiverse conditions, non-native English speakers, and the elderly are the most vulnerable energy customers. Without accessible digital platforms, they may struggle to find critical information, understand bills, access payment support, or connect with customer service.
Recite Me Assistive Toolbar
Recite Me’s Assistive Toolbar is specifically designed to break down barriers by providing a suite of customisable accessibility tools, including:
- Text-to-speech: Helps users with reading difficulties or visual impairments
- On-page translation: Supports over 100 languages for multilingual access
- Customisable fonts and colours: Aids users with cognitive or visual challenges
- Dyslexia-friendly mode: Improves readability and comprehension
- Keyboard-only navigation: Assists users with motor impairments
Recite Me Checker
The Recite Me Accessibility Checker addresses the root causes of inaccessibility by performing a complete website scan aligned with the latest WCAG standards. By following a simple four-step process to help improve your website’s accessibility:
Step 1: Scan Your Domains – Choose between scanning single or multiple pages.
Step 2: Identify Accessibility Issues – Identify the locations of accessibility issues on your website.
Step 3: Fix Accessibility Errors – Boost your accessibility score by prioritising fixes in line with WCAG Levels A, AA, and AAA.
Step 4: Track Your Progress – Create and share custom reports with your team and roadmap the next issues in your fix queue.
Together, these tools empower vulnerable customers to access vital energy information and services independently, enhancing their experience and supporting their unique needs, exactly what Principle 5 calls for.
Get a free automated usability scan of your websites homepage. This will identify and highlight any compliance issues on your website, including inaccessible forms. Followed by recommendations on how to implement the necessary changes to make your website more accessible.
Case Study: Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG)
As a proud member of the Energy Charter, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) recognises the importance of making energy services accessible to every customer, including those in vulnerable circumstances.
AGIG integrated the Recite Me Toolbar on their website to provide an inclusive digital experience that aligns with the Energy Charter’s commitment to customer-centricity and vulnerability support. A customer survey carried out by AGIG revealed that 93% of their customers wanted them to improve accessibility and provide inclusive services.
Since taking on the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar, AGIG has seen:
- Increased accessibility: AGIG’s website now supports diverse needs, from customers with disabilities to those who speak English as a second language.
- Positive customer feedback: Users appreciate the ability to customise their browsing experience, improving engagement and satisfaction.
- Supporting vulnerable customers: By providing tools that help vulnerable individuals navigate their website more easily, AGIG reinforces their commitment to Principle 5 of the Energy Charter.
“Recite Me was pretty simple to get approval on internally, as this was about safety, and this goes right back to our core value of providing safe and reliable gas. Recite Me was financially really good, particularly for the reporting requirements we have.”
Kylie Dobson, Customer Strategy Manager, AGIG
Why Energy Charter Members Should Act Now
Energy Charter members and supporters are uniquely positioned to lead on accessibility. By adopting assistive technology like Recite Me, you can:
Enhance customer trust and loyalty
Meet and exceed compliance expectations
Create a culture of inclusion and innovation
Lead the energy sector towards a more equitable future
As energy businesses work together to build a more responsive, inclusive, and customer-focused industry, digital accessibility must be part of the conversation. Recite Me is ready to help you lead the way.
Our Website Accessibility Checklist guides you through the essential elements of an inclusive website with simple, actionable steps. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your existing site, this checklist will help you create a better experience for all users.
Get Started Today
Digital accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do; it also helps energy organisations meet compliance standards, improve website usability, and better serve Australia’s diverse population.
Join other forward-thinking energy providers who are putting accessibility first. Contact Recite Me Australia today for a free demo or accessibility audit, and see how easy it is to align your website with the Energy Charter’s principles.
