How accessibility tools help recruitment firms drive growth: Lessons from Manchester City Council 

This is a guest blog by REC Business partner, ReciteMe

Recruitment firms are constantly looking for new ways to grow – whether by expanding their candidate pool, improving client outcomes, or enhancing operational efficiency. One powerful, often overlooked strategy is embedding accessibility to unlock growth. Manchester City Council’s experience with the Recite Me assistive toolbar offers valuable insights into how inclusive technology can unlock growth opportunities for recruitment businesses.  

Unlocking new talent pools.  

Manchester is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse cities in the UK, with over 200 languages spoken and around 22% of residents living with a disability. For the council, ensuring that recruitment processes are inclusive isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential to serving its community effectively.  

As a Disability Confident Leader, Manchester City Council is committed to removing barriers for candidates. Its Workforce Equality Strategy focuses on building a workforce that reflects the city’s diversity and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.  

“Diversity is super important to achieving business outcomes. A diverse workforce has more perspectives, better decision-making, more cultural awareness, and ultimately, they can deliver better outcomes for our residents.” Jamie McGrath, Head of Service Design (Employee Experience) at Manchester City Council  

Building an inclusive workforce with the Recite Me toolbar.  

To support this vision, the council incorporated the Recite Me Assistive Toolbar into its Applicant Tracking System. The Toolbar allows visitors to create customisable experiences to suit individual needs through a range of features, including:  

• Text-to-speech  

• Translation into 100+ languages  

• Customisable font, colour, and text size  

• Reading aids for better comprehension  

For recruitment firms, we know that clients are increasingly asking what recruiters are doing to ensure their shortlists are diverse and representative, and tools like these are great ways to ensure greater accessibility for candidates from all backgrounds – including neurodivergent individuals, non-native English speakers, and those with visual or cognitive impairments – all of whom represent untapped talent pools.   

Driving measurable growth.  

The results speak volumes. Since adopting Recite Me:  

• Job applications increased significantly  

• Workforce diversity improved – the percentage of employees identifying as disabled rose from 4.7% in 2021 to 8.7% in 2024  

• Representation at senior levels doubled for staff earning over £50,000 who identify as disabled or from minority ethnic backgrounds.  

For recruitment firms, this translates to more candidates, better matches, and stronger outcomes for clients – all key drivers of business growth.  

“I can’t overemphasise the importance of this tool – it has been really useful for us.” Shola Salami, HR operations manager, Manchester City Council  

A better experience for all.  

Accessibility tools don’t just benefit those with specific needs. Features like text resizing and colour contrast improve usability for everyone, while text-to-speech allows candidates to engage with job ads on the go – even on a busy train.  

“When I’m on the train, I actually use text to speech quite a lot. You can read out a massive job advert while you’re looking at the scenery.” Shola Salami  

For recruitment firms, this means higher engagement, lower drop-off rates, and a smoother candidate journey.  

A strategic advantage for recruitment firms.  

Manchester City Council’s success shows that accessibility isn’t just a compliance checkbox – it’s a growth strategy. By making recruitment platforms more inclusive, your business can:  

• Widen your talent pool  

• Improve candidate engagement  

• Deliver better outcomes for clients  

• Strengthen your brand reputation.  

In a competitive market, these advantages can set your firm apart.  

Interested in making your recruitment process more accessible and impactful? Reach out to Recite Me today to find out how we can support you in creating an environment where all candidates feel valued and included.  

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