An overview of RTÉ’s products and services:
Our Website, rte.ie
RTE.ie is Raidió Teilifís Éireann‘s public service media website which gives access to all of RTÉ’s content and services. The website is designed to be inclusive and easy to use for everyone. We’ve made sure that all content is accessible whether you’re using a keyboard, screen reader, or other assistive technologies. Text is clear and easy to read, with adjustable font sizes and strong contrast between text and background. For those with visual impairments, all images include meaningful alternative text, and we are working to ensure that all videos come with captions.
Navigation is designed with consistent menus and headings that help you find information quickly. Interactive elements like buttons and forms are clearly labelled and can be used without a mouse. We also support resizing and zooming without losing content or functionality, making the site fully responsive on different screen sizes and devices.
We’ve tested our site with a wide range of users and assistive tools to ensure it works well for everyone. If you ever experience any issues or have suggestions, we provide an easy way to contact us for support or feedback. Our goal is to make sure that all users can stay informed and engaged, with the latest news and public information, in a way that works best for them.
RTÉ Radio Player
RTÉ is committed to improving the accessibility of its digital audio services for all users.
RTÉ Radio Player is an audio app for iOS and Android phones. We are working on major updates to our mobile app and will release an update in 2026. We are aiming to provide WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance. This updates includes improvements to screen reader support, audio to text transcripts, improved navigation, and compatibility with assistive technologies.
A large volume of our audio content is available through third party services. Live radio is available on Smart Speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Home which support voice control. Our podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. These services provide a range of built-in accessibility features.
Saorview
Saorview is Ireland’s free-to-air digital TV service that is received with an aerial connected to a Saorview Approved TV or set top box. Saorview carries 16 TV channels and 11 radio stations and is received in more than 640,000 Irish TV households (Source – Nielsen, July 2024).
Channels that broadcast on Saorview are responsible for the provision of accessibility services within their content.
Saorview facilitates the provision of accessibility services through technical standards that are documented in the Saorview Approved standard. TV sets and boxes that meet this standard are listed on https://saorview.ie/en/find-a-product/
The RTÉ News App
The RTÉ News app offers a functional and clear layout on both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. You’ll find adjustable text sizing options, allowing you to personalise your reading experience. Images are accompanied by descriptions and alt-text to assist screen readers in accessing content.
The app also features clear, easy-to-read text with strong contrast between text and background for optimal legibility.
While these core features have served our users well, the current application is ageing and has identified issues. To address this and deliver a better experience, we are currently developing a new RTÉ News app to replace the current product. We’re excited to bring you a modern and improved news consumption experience soon.
RTÉ Player
RTÉ Player is dedicated to providing an accessible experience for all users, in accordance with the European Union Accessibility Act. We develop RTÉ Player to integrate with and support the assistive technologies found within the various systems and platforms RTÉ Player runs on.
To enhance accessibility, RTÉ Player provides audio descriptions and subtitling for available content, as well as interface zooming when supported.
We are actively working to resolve some known accessibility issues and are focused on addressing key functionalities wherever technically feasible. We appreciate your patience, as some device-level limitations, often tied to third-party components, may require a longer timeframe to fully implement solutions.