RSS Press releases
We publish all of our recent press releases online so you can keep up to date.
You can use special RSS software (or newer web browsers) to subscribe to an RSS feed of our recent press releases . Email pressenquiry@dumgal.gov.uk if you'd like further details on any of our press releases.
If you want to speak to a communications officer, you can find their working-hours telephone numbers and what areas of the council they cover at www.dumgal.gov.uk/pressenquiry.
Read our press releases as HTML >>
Recent releases
Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced the integration of accessibility tool Recite Me into the new Dumfries and Galloway COVID-19 website.
The award-winning software will enable visitors to supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk to access and customise the website to suit their individual needs.
Recite Me includes text-to-speech capabilities, support functions for people with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, text enlargement, an interactive dictionary, colour themes, a translation tool with more than 100 languages and many other functionalities.
In Dumfries and Galloway, 6,050 people are living with sight loss and 962 individuals are registered blind or partially sighted. By the year 2030, it is estimated there will be an increase of 21% in the number of people with sight loss in the region. In the UK alone, there are 1.5 million people with a learning disability and 4.2 million people who have English as a second language. That makes the Recite Me tool all the more important.
Frank Morgan, Executive Officer at DG Voice said “DG Voice are delighted to hear about this new development. It will allow disabled people in our region to access helpful information at this time of challenge and in the future. This has great potential and we are pleased to endorse this development.”
Elaine Murray, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: “We’re delighted to be able to introduce Recite Me to new Dumfries and Galloway COVID-19 website. It is essential that during this difficult time, people are able to access the information they need. It is important that we have tools like this, that reflect the diversity of our communities, ensuring that everybody can connect with our council easily and in a way that suits their individual needs.
“Our council is always looking at innovative ways in which we can make ourselves more accessible and inclusive for individuals and communities, and implementing the Recite Me tool is another step in the right direction on this journey.”
Depute Leader, Rob Davidson, said “It is a priority for our council to be more inclusive. This means removing barriers that prevent people from engaging and contributing equally. This includes making sure the information and data provided on our company website is accessible to as many people as possible, which is why, we have added an accessibility toolbar called Recite Me on new regional COVID-19 website. As a council, we have to embrace this kind of accessibility technology, helping set the standard for inclusion within our region.”
You can see the Recite Me tool on the Dumfries and Galloway COVID-19 website: supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk
