Beacon of Hope Crisis Center provides an inclusive experience online

INDIANA – Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy agency serving central Indiana, now provides an inclusive online experience to enable website visitors to access online content and services barrier-free.

As part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, website visitors are now able to access a wide range of accessibility and language support tools to customize their digital experience through Recite Me assistive technology.

Being able to offer an inclusive experience is essential to support over 25% of the population who may encounter barriers when exploring our website due to having a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or if they speak English as a second language.

The Recite Me assistive toolbar on the Beacon of Hope Crisis Center website includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customizable styling options an on-demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages including 35 text-to-speech and styling options.

This year, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center, reached a new milestone in serving trauma clients, adding enhanced intake protocols to better identify victims who have sustained head and neck injuries from physical abuse and strangulation victimization. They increased their ability to identify when clients meet the criteria for brain injury assessment and the facilitation of their access to solution partners. More than ever, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is referring identified survivors meeting critical criteria, ensuring they have access to important medical care.

Sandra Ziebold

“Here at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center accessibility is extremely important to us. We are committed to ensuring all clients can access information and services in a way that best meets their individual needs,” said Sandra Ziebold, Chief Executive Officer. “Access has been at the forefront of our business development plan in 2022, so we are incredibly proud to be able to provide Recite Me’s innovative assistive technology across our website.”

The internet can be an incredibly intimidating place for those with access barriers, and those lacking the tools they need to adequately understand or communicate are at a significant disadvantage. 

Domestic violence homicides are trending upward, and we must intervene as early as possible because reaching as many in need as we can is how we save lives.  With the help of donors, we will continue to strengthen our agency, add critical tools, grow our service provisions, and improve access for those in need.

Ross Linnett - Recite Me
Ross Linnett

Ross Linnett Recite Me’s Founder and CEO commented, “It is important to provide an inclusive online experience, where everyone can use our digital world in a way which best suits their needs. When I was diagnosed with dyslexia in university, I found it extremely challenging to read and understand online information. When the idea for Recite Me was born I felt empowered, like I had opened the door to a whole world of information, services, and experiences.”

To explore our accessibility support tool, visit the Beacon of Hope Crisis Center website and click the Accessibility Options menu tab near the top of the website or the Accessibility Icon image on the lower right side of the website.

“Beacon of Hope Crisis Center has a lot going on this Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we are excited to be hosting a Domestic Violence Impact Virtual Summit from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on October 26th.  This mini event is free to attend, and we would be honored to have you join us that afternoon for four different informational sessions,” said Ziebold “The variety of conversation topics during our virtual summit sessions are intended to inform, inspire, and motivate the community.”

To engage with all that we have happening during October and to register for our free Virtual Summit, visit the Beacon of Hope Crisis Center website and click the Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) menu tab near the top of the website.

 About Beacon of Hope Crisis Center

Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is a Christ-centered organization empowering victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to become self-sufficient by providing safety, education, and support. Serving Central Indiana since 2009. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is a confidential and safe place where individuals who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault can receive advocacy services and referrals.  Our advocates assist with safety planning and let victims know what is available for them within our agency or one of our agency partner service providers.  We assist in many ways, a few of those ways are helping with protective order filings, victim compensation, and other paperwork, hospital, and court accompaniment helping to find a bed in a domestic violence shelter, fostering pets while victim(s) are in a shelter, helping with the healing process, counseling, and steps toward independence and self-sufficiency for long-term improved quality of life. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information visit www.beaconofhopeindy.org or follow them on InstagramFacebookTwitter, and LinkedIn.