Virtual tours are an outstanding tool for accessibility when used correctly. Many venues have launched virtual tours to improve accessibility but technical restraints create familiar barriers for those with accessibility needs.
In order for a virtual tour to help with accessibility, the platform itself MUST work with assistive technologies and meet the requirements of WCAG 2.1.
Over 12 months ago we conducted an audit with industry accessibility experts and found that none of the tours available on a variety of high-profile education and tourism sites were fully accessible. This set our mission – to create the World’s first virtual tour accessibility widget and the great news is we have done it!
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 14.1 million disabled people in the UK? That’s 1 in 5 people in the UK that have a long term illness, impairment or disability. ~ According to gov.uk
In accordance with the UK government’s WCAG 2.1 guidelines:
“Your service must be accessible to everyone who needs it. You may be breaking the law if you do not make it accessible.
You need to think about how users might access and use your service before you design or build anything.
Accessibility is different from assisted digital support, which means helping users with low digital skills or limited access to the web.”
Read more on gov.uk for the WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
As virtual tour experts, we are constantly pushing the boundaries to enable even better and effective ways of improving accessibility features in the digital space and we have done just that.
Our patented accessibility widget provides more accessibility compliance options than any other virtual tour provider. Our accessibility widget sets an even higher standard in following WCAG 2.1 guidelines and is an industry-leading accessibility tool.
With the assistance of industry accessibility experts, we identified the issues with digital accessibility and have addressed them to ensure that our virtual tours meet the highest standards for accessibility. We also understand that requirements change and our mission is ongoing with sign language and voice control options being added at the time of writing this article.
Here are some of the accessibility options our virtual tours feature
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Static Version
- Audio Transcript
- Bigger Text
- Dyslexia Friendly
- Hotspot Navigation on your keyword (eliminating the mouse)
- Desaturate Screen Colour
- Autorotate the virtual tour
- Text Spacing
- High Contrast Screen Colour
- Enlarge cursor (make your mouse cursor bigger)
- Guided navigation tool (with step free / wheelchair-friendly access options)
Some of these key accessibility options and features can be viewed here:
Explore the most accessible train stations in the region, designed to cater to all passengers’ needs. Our virtual tour is inclusive and user-friendly, offering a seamless experience for everyone.
We are proud to provide British Sign Language (BSL) support, ensuring accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments
Explore the charm of Lincoln Railway Station with our immersive virtual tour. Navigate through the platforms, ticketing area, and waiting lounges of this transportation hub.
In addition to our accessibility features, we offer a unique and completely manageable Content Management System, that is user friendly and scalable. It provides you with the control to edit, maintain and update the interactive elements of your tour, ensuring it’s always up to date.
Our system ensures your virtual tour can grow and adapt to your organisation for ongoing success and trackable results.
Interested in exploring your virtual reality options with us?
Get in touch and let’s chat.
