In a new initiative to support accessibility and inclusivity, Newcastle Building Society has partnered with assistive technology company, Recite Me.
This collaboration aims to enhance the society’s website, www.newcastle.co.uk, making it more accessible to customers with visual impairments, disabilities, and those whose first language isn’t English.
With approximately 9.8 million people in England living with a disability, many face significant barriers that hinder their active participation in various life aspects.
To address this, Newcastle Building Society has made Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion one of its five strategic priorities.
The implementation of Recite Me’s accessibility support technology on the society’s website is part of this commitment and reflects the broader goal to connect communities with a better financial future.
Jennie Pitt (pictured), head of equality, diversity and inclusion at Newcastle Building Society, expressed the society’s commitment to easy interaction for all customers.
She said: “That’s why, as well as continuing to invest in and grow our branch network to ensure our communities maintain access to face-to-face financial services, we’re making it simpler for members to manage their personal finances online, by making our website accessible to everyone.”
The collaboration aligns with the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) newly introduced guidelines that aim to create a higher standard of consumer protection.
The Recite Me tools now available on the Newcastle Building Society website provide screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options, and an on-demand live translation feature capable of interpreting over 100 languages, including text-to-speech.
Pitt added: “Recite Me’s accessibility software provides the ideal platform for us to uphold our commitment to delivering a website that everybody can easily use, and enables us to offer a customisable experience for our website visitors and members in a way that meets their individual needs.”
Newcastle Building Society’s dedication to inclusivity extends to its workplace, its members, and its approach to its communities. The society is currently engaged in various partnerships, including long-term relationships with other Recite Me clients Newcastle United Foundation and the Prince’s Trust.
