Web Standards
Our aim is to have an accessible, dynamic, top quality website that meets the needs of Essex citizens.
The implementation of our web standards ensures our website remains accessible to all, and meets Government standards. Lots of people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, and mobility impairments use the World Wide Web every day. Whilst we are unable to do a lot about the hardware that disabled people are using, we are striving to make web pages more accessible and user friendly for them.
Disability and Discrimination Act
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) we are obliged to make our site accessible and we have now attained WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines level AA accessibility. We maintain this level of achievement by performing regular housekeeping activities.
Consistency
Government standards stress the importance of consistency in look and feel, and navigation across a website. It is vital that a website is consistent as visual memory is important in navigating easily through a site. Our website has been developed to ensure that the public can access the information they need swiftly and easily without being hampered by organisational structure or a variety of style and layout.
Research has shown that people cannot find the information they seek on a vast majority of web sites about 60% of the time. This can lead to wasted time, reduced productivity, increased frustration and loss of repeat visits. Therefore, we have also carried out extensive user testing and redeveloped our site with a look and feel, and navigation that meets the needs of most end users.
Listening to the ECC website
We use Dixerit to make our website accessible for dyslexics, people with learning disabilities, low literacy level, people with English as a second language, elderly with impaired vision and others that like to listen as well as read. These groups represent more than 20% of the population in most European countries.
Channel editors and content providers
We have 45+ Channel Editors who each have a responsibility for certain content areas of the site. It is their responsibility to ensure that the specialist information published to that area is accurate and meets the high web standards set.
Getting the writing right
Tone of voice is how a website sounds to a user, and is therefore the editorial representation and execution of the brand. The tone must support and communicate the organisation’s values. It is important that users find the information they need regardless of how web-proficient they are. All content and services must be presented clearly and concisely and in an open and trustworthy environment.
