The City of Staunton recently took significant steps toward inclusivity and accessibility with the implementation of Recite Me technology on its website. This initiative highlights Staunton’s dedication to creating a community where everyone can access and benefit from online resources.
The City of Staunton Prioritizes Equal Access
As a culturally rich and historic city with a diverse population, the City of Staunton prides itself on being welcoming, innovative, and diverse. City officials are committed to breaking down barriers that limit opportunities for individuals with disabilities or who speak English as a second language.
In 2021, the Staunton City Council formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission made up of community members chosen by the Council to represent the diverse interests of the Staunton community. Through this Commission, a disparity in how online information was distributed and accessed within the community was brought to the City Council’s attention.
Addressing this inequity became a priority for the City of Staunton and AnhThu Nguyen, Chair of Staunton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission shared with us:
“What we were finding is that the distribution and the dissemination of that information and the awareness was not inherently equitable. That was something we really wanted to explore on the commission with Recite Me technology.”
City of Staunton Improves Accessibility with Recite Me Toolbar
The City of Staunton implemented the Recite Me toolbar on its government website to ensure critical resources and information are accessible to everyone in the community. The Recite Me toolbar enables users to customize the Staunton City website directly on their personal devices.
With customizable features such as adjustable font sizes, a magnifying glass for enhanced visibility, text-to-speech functionality, and translations in over 100 languages, navigating the site is now easier than ever for individuals with varying needs.
“Websites contain a lot of useful information that is often accessible for able-bodied individuals and English speakers. But those who face challenges may feel intimidated or unable to find those resources. Equitable access to the website can help bridge some of the gaps in equity among people living in the Queen City.”
By prioritizing accessibility, the City of Staunton is setting a powerful example for other municipalities striving for equity and inclusion. To try out their new accessibility features, click the maroon ‘Accessibility’ icon located on the bottom left-hand corner of their website.
Staunton joins a growling list of state and local government agencies throughout the country offering Recite Me tools, including the New Mexico Secretary of State, Hidalgo County, City of Denton, and the Louisiana Department of Labor.
Looking for ways to make your government website more accessible and inclusive to residents and visitors? Reach out to Recite Me today to learn how we can best support you.
Stay ahead of the game when it comes to Digital Accessibility laws and compliance in the United States. Learn about all the different federal and state-level regulations, see real examples of web accessibility lawsuits in different regions and discover a 7-step action plan for building accessible websites.
