Dominican Republic renews its tourism website

In preparation for a safe increase in travel planning, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism recently launched a new interactive application or accessibility widget on its GoDominicanRepublic.com website. This new tool makes the Dominican Republic one of the first destinations in the Caribbean to offer this digital functionality for users with different abilities.

The device allows users with limited visual, cognitive and mobility capabilities to make full use of the website, with intuitive tools that improve accessibility and navigability. Users can open the application by clicking on the icon located in the lower left corner of the screen or by pressing CTRL + U on a Windows or Mac computer.

This program, available in seven different languages, has tools that include a screen reader, keyboard navigation, contrast adjustment, link highlighting, text size and spacing adjustment, animation pause and display of a special version of the page for people with dyslexia. It also includes a built-in dictionary so that users can look up definitions of terms without leaving the web page.

"From the planning process to the end of your vacation, it is a priority for us to ensure that those interested in visiting the Dominican Republic have all the necessary tools to do so," said David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic. "This new accessibility program is our latest technological innovation to ensure that everyone has the ability to easily plan the vacation of their dreams in our beautiful country, through the advanced tools on our website."

The accessibility application is powered by UserWay, a leading global provider of web page accessibility solutions. The company offers the same functionality for brands such as Disney, Coca-Cola, Nielsen, and General Electric. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the device works to enhance the experience for users who rely on adaptive technologies.

With the launch of the new tool, GoDominicanRepublic.com meets the strict WCAG 2.1 AA ("Accessibility Guidelines for Web Content") standards of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the worldwide organization that regulates Internet standards. The site also meets the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act Section 508. For more information, read the Ministry of Tourism's accessibility statement.

During the pandemic, the Dominican Republic continues to adopt some of the most comprehensive security measures in the region, especially with the implementation of a free medical coverage plan for tourists.