The season for giving is almost upon us; the season when we come together with friends or family to enjoy our traditions. Increasingly in this digital age, festive togetherness is happening online, whether buying gifts, booking a festive city break, booking a visit to the pantomime, or even donating to charity. Technology plays a significant role in how we connect and celebrate. Yet, there are still digital barriers faced by 1 billion people worldwide.
We’ve got together with some of our partners to hear about the ways they’re supporting website visitors achieve their holiday dreams.
Jump down to something relevant:
Holiday Travel is Essential for All
Year round, travel companies should be offering inclusive and accessible information on websites, but it is particularly important in December and January, as the demand for transportation, accommodation and attractions increases.
Recent industry surveys would indicate that more than 50% of people with disabilities find it considerably difficult, or near impossible, to travel.
In a day and age where technology, solutions, and inventions are rife; there seems little excuse not to provide the gift of inclusion to hopeful travellers with disabilities this festive season.
Don’t let your website be the barrier that prevents people from reuniting with family or exploring new destinations.
Daish’s Holidays Give The Gift Of Inclusion
For Daish’s Holidays, Christmas comes early with their ‘Tinsel and Turkey’ breaks throughout November and December. As providers of family hotels and luxury coach trips, Daish’s Holidays know that accessibility is top priority for their guests.
Daish’s Holidays IT Manager, Darren Gilchrist, explains, “We know our guests often have issues with their sight so when we discovered Recite Me, it was clear they were the perfect addition to our website. Having the ability to change font size or even have the page read aloud has really helped so many of our site visitors.”
Daish’s Holidays has always prioritised inclusion, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can access their coaches and hotels. So, it was a no-brainer for Daish’s Holidays to provide the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar on their digital platform. That way, no one misses the chance to meet Santa on one of their festive breaks!
Having the ability to change font size or even have the page read aloud has really helped so many of our site visitors.
Festive Fun for Everyone – Inclusive Shopping and Leisure Activities
With physical locations becoming more accessible and inclusive; ramps in shops, sign language panto, wheelchair iceskating, its vital that digital portals are not overlooked. There’s no point advertising your wonderfully inclusive venues and experiences, only to provide an inaccessible booking form or information page.
The online spending power of people with access needs in the UK is around £24.8 billion, but 86% of users with access needs would spend more if there were fewer barriers.
Embracing digital inclusion means creating opportunities for everyone to engage in festive fun.
Polka Theatre Give The Gift of Inclusion
Over the festive period, Polka Theatre experience higher website traffic as people research and book their festive shows and workshops. Polka is a vital hub for the community; offering workshops, classroom resources, free-to-access play spaces and creative industry opportunities, as well as a charitable arm that supports disadvantaged children in participating in theatre arts experiences.
Keeping accessibility at their core led to Polka Theatre to take the obvious next step in online accessibility and implementing the Recite Me assistive toolbar.
Head of Sales and Marketing at Polka Theatre, Sara Greenwood, said, “The Recite Me toolbar enables our website viewers to personalise their online journey to their own needs. They can explore the website and all it has to offer instead of having to get in touch with the Box Office.”
She goes on to explain, “Although our Box Office team are always happy to assist with any enquiries, Recite Me allows customers more freedom to explore and discover what is of interest to them with greater independence.”
With the use of Recite Me tools, Polka Theatre have been able to ensure every website visitor has the independence to adjust the site to their own requirements and needs, allowing them to browse in a way which suits them best.
Although our Box Office team are always happy to assist with any enquiries, Recite Me allows customers more freedom to explore and discover what is of interest to them with greater independence.
December is The Time for Giving
The festive season is a time when many people engage in charitable activities to give back and spread joy. It’s also a time when, unfortunately, people need a lifeline.
With inclusive digital platforms, charities can make it easy for donors to contribute regardless of their technological skills or access limitations, helping to maximise the season’s generosity.
Additionally, inclusive online engagement allows charities to share festive stories, fundraising events, and volunteer opportunities with diverse audiences, helping them feel connected and part of a meaningful cause.
Shelter Cymru Put Inclusion On Their Christmas Wishlist
This winter, Shelter Cymru is encouraging people to “give the gift of home”.
Shelter Cymru support those as risk of homelessness, offering free and confidential advice. During a period of un-imaginable stress, it’s vital their website, a lifeline to so many, is accessible, welcoming and inclusive.
Not only does their website provide invaluable support, but it is also core to their fundraising efforts.
Shelter Cymru took on the Recite Me toolbar in 2023 to help them build bridges between their online platform and the 21% of Welsh individuals who have some form of disability.
Access and Inclusion Officer at Shelter Cymru, David Roberts, told us, “Shelter Cymru are delighted to partner with Recite Me to make our website more inclusive and accessible for our service users. We believe that the toolbar and its vast array of features will help us to deliver support for individuals in need of vital housing advice.”
Together, we can make sure that fewer children wake up to a Christmas without a home.
The toolbar and its vast array of features will help us to deliver support for individuals in need of vital housing advice.
As the festive season approaches, let’s commit to embracing digital accessibility and giving the gift of inclusion. Together, we can create a more connected and compassionate community, making this festive season truly special for all.
3 Steps to Get Your Website Ready for the Festive Rush
The festive season brings a surge in online activity, from holiday shopping and charitable donations to booking trips and leisure activities. If your website isn’t accessible, you could be missing out on valuable traffic and turning away potential customers and supporters. Check out our 3 step guide to make sure your website is ready for the busy festive period.
