LinkedIn, the social networking and recruitment platform, is set to undergo a significant accessibility transformation through its collaboration with Microsoft.
In commemoration of Dyslexia Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, LinkedIn is introducing Microsoft’s Immersive Reader to enhance the accessibility of its platform.
LinkedIn, along with many other websites, is often cluttered with distractions such as advertisements and graphics. The integration of Immersive Reader is poised to be a game-changer for all LinkedIn users.
As reported by Engadget, an Immersive Reader icon will be added to all articles and newsletters, granting users access to a range of accessibility tools designed to simplify the consumption of lengthy and intricate content.
One standout feature is a text-to-speech assistance that LinkedIn assures can differentiate between words that share the same spelling, ensuring accurate pronunciation and enunciation.
Another feature, Content Isolation, will be available for those who prefer a distraction-free reading experience. It extracts the relevant text and displays it on a plain background. Users can customize aspects like colors, fonts, and sizes to tailor the text to their specific needs.
While this technology is not entirely new and is already employed in various Microsoft services and beyond, including Safari’s Reader view, it represents a pioneering move by being directly integrated into a social media platform.
Although LinkedIn may not boast the same user numbers as Facebook and other giants, it remains a popular Microsoft product frequently receiving updates and improvements. Recently, the company introduced generative AI into LinkedIn, making it the first social media platform to provide users with this type of assistance.
