29 August 2006

West Berkshire Council has made improvements to its website, which officials claim will "be a major benefit to many people".

The council has improved the accessibility of its online offering, by creating a Textic toolbar, designed to make the website easier for users with visual impairments and dyslexia.

Allowing the Internet user to alter the colour of text and backgrounds, the service has been approved by the British Dyslexia Association, eGov monitor reports.

Anthony Stansfeld, West Berkshire's executive member for information and communication, said, "Textic will maximise the accessibility and impact of the Council's website.

"This is a low-cost enhancement that we hope will be a major benefit to many people."

Mr Stansfeld adds that up to 20 per cent of the UK's population – 12 million people – are believed to have difficulty reading text on the Internet, due to various medical causes.

The Textic toolbar also allows users to zoom in on areas of the website, while a range of fonts are also available.

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