Bussol: Version for the Visually Impaired PRO

What this solution does

Bussol: Blind-Friendly Version PRO is a professional accessibility module for websites built on the 1C-Bitrix: Site Management platform. The solution provides text-to-speech functionality, comfortable reading modes, and flexible configuration of fonts, contrast, and image display without requiring any changes to the site template.

This is a universal tool for improving website usability for people with visual impairments, elderly users, and visitors who require special display settings. The module adds a convenient accessibility panel to the site, allowing users to independently adjust text size, color schemes, line spacing, image visibility, and other parameters.

Unlike solutions that require creating a separate site version or modifying the template, Bussol Accessibility PRO automatically integrates into the public part of the site after installation and configuration. The product operates correctly in the composite mode of 1C-Bitrix, supports multisite setups, and provides administrators with a complete set of tools to manage the appearance and functionality of the accessibility panel.

The Bussol: Visually Impaired PRO module enables visitors to adapt the display of a website's text content to their individual needs. Available settings include text enlargement up to 200 percent, adjustment of line spacing, modification of letter spacing, selection of a convenient font, highlighting of links to improve visibility, and saving of individual preferences. All changes are applied instantly without requiring a page reload.

The contrast and color schemes section offers four design options, including high-contrast modes. Users can select the optimal color combination for comfortable information perception.

Image management features are implemented to reduce visual load. These include switching images to black-and-white mode, hiding images entirely, and processing standard images as well as CSS backgrounds. Settings apply to dynamically loaded content. Special attention is given to product catalogs, with support for processing images in product cards, including background images.

A key feature of the PRO version is text-to-speech synthesis. The module allows users to read aloud selected text, initiate reading of the entire page content, adjust speech speed, and choose from available voices.

Playback control: pause and stop.

Text-to-speech is implemented using the browser's Web Speech API. The availability of voices, Russian language support, and synthesis quality depend on the user's browser and operating system.

Comfortable Reading Mode

A set of tools to help focus on page content:

- Comfortable reading mode.

- Line tracker for following the current line.

- Enlarged mouse cursor.

- Disabling of animation effects.

- Additional text display settings.

The mode is available on informational pages and in catalog sections.

Settings persistence

Individual parameters are saved in the visitor's browser. When the site is reopened, the selected settings are restored automatically. Users can reset changes at any time and return to the standard layout.

Benefits for site owners

Installation without template modification

There is no need to create a separate site version or manually add components to header.php and footer.php files. The panel is connected automatically via the module.

Compatibility with composite mode

The module has been tested on 1C-Bitrix sites with the composite mode enabled.

The module enables activation of the accessibility panel without requiring the disabling of composite caching. To isolate the interface, the Shadow DOM technology is used, which minimizes the risk of style conflicts between the panel and the main site styles. The system supports configuration of exclusions for specific elements and third-party widgets.

Administration is performed in a dedicated BUSSOL section within the left administrator menu. An administrator can enable or disable the module, change the panel position, edit the button label, select corporate colors, configure accessibility for individual functions, specify CSS exclusions, and exclude specific pages. The system also allows management of parameters for different sites within a single Bitrix installation and provides a preview of the button appearance.

The module supports multisite functionality, allowing individual configuration for each site within a single 1C-Bitrix installation. Parameters can be inherited from general module settings. The panel interface is adapted for use on computers, tablets, and smartphones, automatically adjusting to various screen sizes.

The Bussol Accessibility PRO module is designed to enhance web resource accessibility. It is suitable for state and municipal institutions as a tool for compliance with accessibility standards. The solution fits educational organizations, including schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. Medical institutions such as clinics and health centers use it to improve patient interaction. Corporate websites employ the module to adapt information for broad audiences. Online stores gain a tool for improving navigation through catalogs and product cards. Web studios and developers use the ready-made solution for projects on the 1C-Bitrix platform.

Technical features

Platform: 1C-Bitrix: Site Management.

Module identifier: bussol.accessibility.

Standard location: /bitrix/modules/bussol.accessibility/.

Automatic connection of the public interface.

Support for multisite environments.

Support for composite mode (tested on a test installation).

Panel isolation using Shadow DOM.

Support for dynamically loaded content.

Panel interface in Russian and English.

Use of Web Speech API for text-to-speech.

Saving visitor settings in the browser.

Panel configuration is performed via the administrative interface. Compatibility with third-party templates, JavaScript widgets, and non-standard components should be verified on the specific website.

Installation is straightforward. Install the Bussol: Blind-Friendly Version PRO module. Navigate to the BUSSOL section in the administrative panel, then to the Blind-Friendly Version PRO subsection, and open Settings. Select the panel location and enable the required functions. Configure the appearance and save the parameters. Open the public part of the site to verify the panel's operation. Once completed, visitors can independently select convenient display parameters for information.

Why Bussol Accessibility PRO?

No separate template is required; the panel integrates directly into the existing site.

A comprehensive set of tools is provided, ranging from text scaling to speech synthesis.

Comfortable reading is ensured through additional tools for information perception.

Flexible administration allows configuration of appearance and functions without modifying the source code.

Multi-site support enables management of parameters for multiple websites.

Composite mode is supported for working with the 1C-Bitrix composite caching system.

User preferences are saved, so visitors do not need to reconfigure the interface on each visit.

Important accessibility information.

The Bussol: Visually Impaired Version PRO module provides additional tools to improve content perception and website usability. Installing the module alone does not guarantee full compliance with GOST R 52872-2019 standards or WCAG requirements. Ensuring comprehensive accessibility also requires attention to HTML structure, semantic markup, keyboard navigation, form accessibility, content quality, and site template specifics. The solution enhances user comfort, expands visitor capabilities, and allows centralized management of display settings through a single module for the 1C-Bitrix platform. It offers professional accessibility tools without the need to create a separate website version.

General iT can connect “Bussol: Version for the Visually Impaired PRO”, configure it and verify the integration with the existing website.