Every March, as International Women’s Day approaches, more people turn to the Bristol Women’s Voice website for information, connection and support. Last year, pages viewed using the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar increased by 256% in March compared to an average month.
We caught up with Claire Charras, Communications Coordinator at Bristol Women’s Voice, to explore what’s behind this rise and why accessibility plays such a central role in their work.
Why accessibility is central to Bristol Women’s Voice
Accessibility is rooted in who Bristol Women’s Voice are as an organisation.
“We are an intersectional feminist organisation,” Claire explains. “That means looking at women’s lives and experiences across race, ethnicity, disability, language and more. Inclusion is really important to us.”
Bristol is one of the UK’s most diverse cities, with over 90 languages spoken across its communities. That diversity shapes how the organisation approaches everything, including their digital presence.
Their website as their strongest connection point
For a small charity, the website is one of their strongest connection points. It’s where women discover events, find support and understand what’s available to them.
Claire explains “Digital is really key for us. We don’t always have the time or resources to go out and meet people where they are, so this is how we connect.”
Accessible online experiences allow Bristol Women’s Voice to extend their reach far beyond what would otherwise be possible. “It’s about helping women access services and organisations in a way that works for them,” she adds.
International Women’s Day: where inclusion becomes critical
That need for accessibility becomes even more important around International Women’s Day. Bristol Women’s Voice hosts one of the city’s largest celebrations, bringing together panel discussions, workshops and community stalls.
Last year’s programme included eight panel discussions, over 40 workshops and more than 30 stallholders, from wellbeing services and community groups to specialist support organisations.
“With International Women’s Day, we see a lot more traffic to the website,” Claire explains. “People are looking for event information, workshops and support.”
It’s a time when more people need information, and it has to be accessible.
Making accessibility visible, so people can use it
The increase in Toolbar usage isn’t only driven by higher traffic. It’s also intentional.
“We actively encourage people to use the Recite Me Toolbar,” Claire says. “If they need information in another language, or if they need accessibility features, we tell them that it’s there and show them how to use it.”
That visibility matters. A 256% increase in toolbar usage shows that when accessibility is promoted and normalised, people feel able to use it. It becomes part of the experience, not something hidden or secondary.
“I think there’s a deliberate push from our side to make sure people know it exists,” Claire adds. “And I’m really glad that people are using it.”
Accessing information independently
For Bristol Women’s Voice, accessibility is about far more than usability.
“It’s really about giving women the tools to make informed choices.”
Many systems, especially around social care and support services, are complex and difficult to navigate.
“If English isn’t your first language, or if you have a disability or learning difference, it’s easy to get lost in information,” she says. “Information needs to be there and accessible so people can make informed decisions.”
Not needing someone else to translate, read, or explain content creates independence and privacy. It gives people control over how they engage.
One Toolbar, many ways to access information
One of the things Claire finds most powerful about Recite Me is the breadth of support in one place.
“What’s interesting is the range of accessibility features all in one toolbar. You can cater for a lot of different needs at the same time.”
From translation and screen reading to customising text and layout, users can adapt content to match how they read, learn and process information.
“The tool supports people to access information in the way they need.”
The rise in Toolbar usage around International Women’s Day isn’t just a statistic. It represents real people accessing information, support and community independently, at a time when connection matters most.
If you’d like to explore how accessibility technology can support your website visitors, get in touch with the Recite Me team to find out more.
