Accessibility
Caledonia Housing Association recognises and values the provision of information in a format which is accessible to all. To help make information about us, our services and other activities easily understood and widely available, we offer the following services.
Happy To Translate
We are part of the Happy to Translate scheme, which promotes good practice and awareness of the needs of non-English speakers who use our services. The scheme supports us with:
- Arranging interpretation and translation services for tenants and customers whose first language is not English
- Arranging British Sign Language Interpreters
- Providing information in suitable formats for tenants and customers with hearing, sight or other impairment, including in large print or Braille and audio translations.
ReachDeck – making our website accessible for everyone
We have made our content more accessible with reading and translation features by adding ReachDeck digital inclusion software to our website.
Whether you are using a Smartphone, Tablet, PC or Mac, ReachDeck will provide the speech, reading and translation support tools you require for free.
ReachDeck is part of our website, so you do not need to install or buy any software to use it. It is available from the top right of each webpage via the ReachDeck icon. There are several icons on the toolbar.
Each button performs a different function – you can hear text read aloud, translate it, convert to MP3 and add a screen mask. You can magnify text, simplify web pages, and set your own personalised settings.
Text to Speech
ReachDeck reads text on a webpage out loud. There are two options, Hover to Speak and Speak the Current Selection. Hover to Speak is turned on by default when the toolbar is launched.
Translation
ReachDeck translates web pages into 99 languages and can speak aloud 40 of those, in a high quality, natural sounding native voice.
MP3 Generation
ReachDeck converts any text that you select from a web page, into an audio file that you can then listen to at a later date at home, or on the move.
Screen Mask
This feature allows you to apply a colour filter to your screen. A semi-opaque mask extends across the screen, leaving a letterbox reading window clear – the allows you to focus on a few lines at a time.
Text Magnification
With ReachDeck you have the option to magnify the text as it’s being read aloud. You can personalise the font, size and colour to suit your needs in settings.
Simplify
This feature removes the clutter and distractions, such as pictures and adverts, allowing you to focus on the text you want to read.
Settings
In the settings menu you can personalise the features to suit your own specific needs. You can personalise the following:
- Highlight colours for text to speech and text magnification
- Set text magnifier on as default
- Select the size of the magnified text
- Switch hover to speak off
- Select voice speed
- Set the simplify feature on as default
- Identify links on a webpage
Need ReachDeck support?
Visit the Texthelp support portal, from the makers of ReachDeck. (https://support.texthelp.com/help)
Do you need information in another format?
If you need us to communicate with you in an accessible format, please complete the general enquiry form with details of your requirements.
