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Remaining Compliant

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It is not as simple as running an automated report!

When we provide you with a site it is fully compliant to the accessibility standards at the time the site went live.

Any site will need to remain compliant with the current WCAG standards, this is either done when  changes are made to the site or as part of an Annual Audit of the site and make any relevant changes to bring the site up to standard.


In summary
  • Any changes to the site will need to be applied to the current WCAG Standards
  • An Annual Audit and Accessibility Statement is a requirement of WCAG.
This is something that you will need action yourselves, unless you are a Premium Support Customer.

 

What we we do!

  • Constantly updating the code to ensure you are compliant from a coding standpoint.
  • We have provided you with tools to edit your content, widgets and modules that help you apply content correctly.
  • Free training for manging content. Learn how to access free training.
  • Access to our knowledge base from within the Control Panel of your website.
  • A helpdesk who can answer any questions you may have about accessibility.
  • SmartForms are the latest addition to the Tree View tool box and allows you to create dynamic forms using conditional logic that are fully compliant.
  • Free SmartForm Templates. See all the current templates available.
  • Free training for working with SmartForms.

The site is technically complaint, so what's the issue? 

You may think that compliance for accessibility is all about technology. For the most part you would be correct, however there elements of  WCAG 2.1 (AA) standards which cannot be managed by technology alone.

Remember: Every time the website is updated, the content needs to be added in a compliant fashion.

Our Premium Service can take care of this for you including your accessibility report!

NOT YET A PREMIUM CUSTOMER?

 

In the UK, 1 in 5 people have a disability - this could be visual, hearing, motor (affecting fine movement) or cognitive (affecting memory and thinking).

These standards cover thinking, cognitive impairments or learning disabilities and apply to the words and style of content that is added. And this quite the opposite of an 'easy read' section which emulates certain sections of the site, it relates to everything on the site. Everything needs to be 'easy read' as it not just those who have a diagnosed condition who may need it.

Accessibility does not just apply to disabled people - all users will have different needs at different times and in different circumstances. Someone’s ability to use a service could be affected by their:

  • location -  in a noisy environment, bright sunshine or slow connection
  • health - they may be tired, recovering from a major condition or operation
  • equipment - they could be on a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer
  • language - there 1st language may not be English. (this is not as simple as you think)

How the accessibility regulations will be monitored and enforced

The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) monitor public sector bodies’ compliance on behalf of the Minister for the Cabinet Office. CDDO do this by examining a sample of public sector websites and mobile apps every year. CDDO can ask for information and request access to intranets, extranets, apps or any public sector website.

The Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland covers all public sector bodies. CDDO will investigate complaints about all mobile apps used by the public sector, to make sure there is equal access to services. These say that all UK service providers must consider ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled people.

Public sector bodies must publish an accessibility statement and review it regularly.

Extracts taken from

Top Tips!

  • Don't duplicate information that can be found elsewhere on your site or on someone else's site. Link to it instead.
  • Keep messages short and concise.
  • Don't over crowd any page, especially your homepage
  • Use images to help but not to replace written language. (Screen Readers & Translations don't work on images)
  • Avoid using contractions.
  • Keep sentences basic, avoiding using complex sentence structures. (Translation services are only going to translate what you have written word for word and may not interpret the context correctly.)
  • Avoid using brand names for clinical systems or internal terminology.  Patients are unlikely to know what they mean.
  • Use the tools and modules provided in the control panel of your website for their intended purposes.

Remember accessibility means more than putting things online. It means making your content and design clear and simple enough so that most people can use it without needing to adapt it, while supporting those who do need to adapt things.