Strengthening Digital Inclusion Across Education: Launch of nasen’s New Website Accessibility Tool
As a charity supporting education professionals and schools through SEND-focused CPD, inclusion is central to our values and our work. We believe that access to professional learning, information and sector expertise should never be limited by disability, language, neurodiversity, or differing ways of processing information. This commitment applies not only to the training we deliver, but also to how we design and present our digital spaces.
The introduction of the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar is an important step in making our website more inclusive, flexible and user-friendly for the diverse community we serve.
How the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar Supports Accessibility
The toolbar allows users to customise their experience of our website to suit their individual needs and preferences. Key features include:
Text-to-speech functionality, enabling users to listen to website content read aloud
Reading aids such as screen masking and rulers to support focus and reduce visual stress
Customisable text, including font styles, sizes and colour contrasts to improve readability
Translation tools, allowing content to be translated into multiple languages
Accessibility profiles designed to support users with dyslexia, visual impairments, attention differences, or cognitive processing needs
These features are designed not only to support users with diagnosed disabilities, but also to benefit those who may experience temporary barriers, prefer alternative formats, or are accessing content in busy or challenging environments.
Why Digital Inclusion Matters for the Education Sector
Education professionals represent a highly diverse workforce, and many staff supporting children and young people with SEND have their own access needs or learning differences. As professional development, guidance and collaboration increasingly move online, digital accessibility plays a crucial role in ensuring equitable participation across the sector.
Too often, accessibility relies on individuals having to request adjustments. By embedding inclusive design into our website, we aim to reduce barriers proactively and model the inclusive practices we encourage through our SEND CPD. This approach aligns with wider sector responsibilities under the Equality Act and reflects best practice in inclusive education and organisational leadership.
Our Ongoing Commitment
This launch is one part of our wider commitment to inclusion. We will continue to review our digital content, listen to feedback from the sector, and look for opportunities to improve access to our training, resources and communications.
The Recite Me Assistive Toolbar can be activated at any time by clicking the “Accessibility” button on our website.
We hope this step supports education professionals, schools and partners to engage with our work in ways that suit them best — and encourages continued conversation across the sector about the importance of inclusive, accessible practice in all its forms.
