RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Library of Virginia’s website now provides enhanced accessibility features as part of a recent redesign and ongoing improvements. Online visitors are now able to access a wide range of accessibility and language support tools to customize their digital experience using Recite Me, a cloud-based assistive technology. 

“As the Library seeks to empower users with online services and expanding digital collections, enhancing accessibility continues to be a major priority for us,” said Digital Initiatives & Web Presence director Kathy Jordan. “We are committed to ensuring all visitors to our website can access information and services in a way that best meets their individual needs.”

The new accessibility toolbar offers many customizations for users viewing the Library of Virginia website who may have disabilities, visual impairments, or learning difficulties, or who speak a different language. 

The toolbar offers translation to over 100 languages with 65 Text to Speech (TTS) voices for the 14 million people in the U.S. who have visual impairment. It also offers translation of PDFs and webpages, ensuring inclusive access to digital content across formats. 

Reading aids include a ruler, screen mask, magnifier, page summarizer and a dictionary to assist those with learning differences or limited literacy. Styling and customization options such as a Dyslexia-friendly font will assist those with neurodivergence.

The addition of the Recite Me toolbar complements the Library of Virginia’s recent website redesign and furthers the goal of making the Library’s online content as accessible as possible for all users. To explore the accessibility support tool, visit the Library of Virginia website and click the blue universal access symbol launch button on the lower left of the screen. 

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ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA 

The Library of Virginia is the leading source of information on Virginia’s history, government and people. The Library’s collections, containing more than 134 million items, document and illustrate the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens. Our online resources draw nearly 2 million website visits per year, and our on-site records, exhibitions and events bring in thousands of visitors annually. The Library is located in downtown Richmond near Capitol Square at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Learn more at www.lva.virginia.gov.