Hilltopvoices Communications Group has introduced a new “Listen to Article” feature across its website, fulfilling a promise to enhance accessibility for users with visual impairments and making a firm statement about inclusive journalism in the digital age.
Now active on article pages of www.hilltopvoices.com, the tool allows readers to listen to stories being read aloud directly from their web browsers. It works without the need for additional software or external platforms, using built-in text-to-speech (TTS) technology available in most modern browsers.
The decision to implement this feature was inspired by a conversation with Kessah Princely, a visually impaired academic conducting research on inclusive communication. During an exchange with Hilltopvoices, he posed a straightforward but compelling question: had the platform considered making its news content accessible to people like him?
At the time, it had not.
“He simply asked, ‘Have you done that for your site? I replied, ‘Not yet’ but I promised that we would. That promise meant something.” recalled Bakah Derick, Administrator and Lead Strategist at Hilltopvoices Communications Group.
With the introduction of this feature, Hilltopvoices has honoured that promise and reaffirmed its broader mission: to serve as a platform that values access, inclusion, and voice for all.
“We cannot claim to give voice to the voiceless if we ignore those whose challenge is not what is said, but how they access what is said. Hilltopvoices is not just a news platform' is a people-centred communication initiative.” Bakah emphasised
The feature appears at the bottom of article pages, offering simple controls [ Play, Pause, and Stop] that allow any visitor to listen to the story content. This is especially important for readers with visual impairments, dyslexia, or low literacy, as well as those who prefer to consume information aurally.
“Accessibility is not a luxury or an extra feature; it is a right. This was a small technical step, but a meaningful one in terms of inclusion. It’s about listening to people, especially those who are often unheard.” Bakah added
The “Listen to Article” tool works across devices, including smartphones, and requires no login or download. It is designed to ensure that the news Hilltopvoices shares is not limited by how users interact with text, but open to all regardless of ability.
Hilltopvoices Communications Group has positioned itself as a champion of people-driven journalism and continues to innovate in how it delivers content to its growing audience. The addition of the listening feature reflects a deeper commitment to closing the accessibility gap in media not only in what is reported, but in how it is experienced.
“We want our stories to reach people’s minds, not just their eyes,” Bakah concluded.
For Kessah Princely and others who rely on accessible formats, that commitment is no longer just an idea but it is now an active part of the Hilltopvoices platform.
By Asheri Loveline
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77