eGIF (Government Interoperability Framework)

Accessibility

The advantage of websites is that they are able to deliver a wider range of information than is possible through conventional media. Users are able to choose how they would like this information delivered, and are able to access it 24/7.
The Golden Rules of accessibility, as proposed by the Office of the e-Envoy (www.e-envoy.gov.uk), are:

• Keep pages simple
• Be consistent throughout the website
• Use HTML as the default information format
• Browser-specific HTML or scripting methods should not be used in the website
• Keep the use of images to a minimum - consider the use of thumbnails
• Do not rely on colour to convey information
• Text colour must always contrast with background
• Only use clear, commonly used fonts
• Use HTML to structure the document, not style it
• Use Cascading Style Sheets to format and style basic elements of a website
• Any font sizes defined in the Cascading Style Sheet must be customisable by the end user - do not hard code
• Any colour used must be customisable by the end user
• HTML page should validate against specified version of HTML
  
• All important images must have an 'alt' attribute and description
• 'alt' descriptions should be meaningful
• A consistent text navigation bar should be used along with a 'skip navigation link'
• Other forms of navigation should be available for users who cannot use pointing devices
• If used, imagemaps should always be in client-side format
• A text alternative must be offered if a client-side imagemap is used
• An alternative text version of any information offered in audio or video format must be supplied
• Any information offered in a format that requires a plug-in must also be offered in HTML
• All web pages must comply to the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) 'A' standard
• The appropriate WAI logos can be displayed on the organisation's homepage to illustrate compliance with W3C recommendations
  

Navigation

A key element in any website, but especially so for Local Authorities who need to be able to deliver a vast range of information and services in as simple a way as possible. Further to this, it is essential to make provision for users with impaired vision, who may not for instance be able to view graphics. Visually impaired users may be using access technology, whereas other users may be using small screen browsers that only display text. All these groups have to be catered for.

Navigational aids should therefore be text-based as much as possible, and should follow established good practice navigation guidelines. These dictate that navigation containing each of the important links should be at the top of the page. Text links should be clearly separated by a vertical bar to avoid the problem of reading all the links as one that could otherwise happen with access technology. CSS are recommended for the navigation bar text, which should clearly stand out from the background colour. It should also be easily displayed by non-CSS compatible browsers.

The Office of the e-Envoy lay out clear guidelines for this, and indeed all of the eGIF elements (www.e-envoy.gov.uk). They propose that "…text navigation should also use the hotkey capabilities referred to in the WAI guidelines. This allows authors to assign keyboard actions to hyperlinks. As well as being a useful tool for getting around a website, its primary role is to aid users with motor disabilities who find controlling a pointing device difficult."
Once the text navigation has been decided upon, it is essential that it remains consistent throughout the site. CITIZENconnect encourages all local authorities to use the same established navigational principals, in order to help users become accustomed to a common website structure, and help achieve the overall objective of joined up Government.

Interoperability

This is the key element of joined up Government referred to above. Citizens must be able to quickly and easily access the information or services they are looking for across different Government websites. CITIZENconnect keeps up to date with the latest National and International Metadata and Standard Interface developments in order to be able to offer Local Authorities the possibility of seamlessly processing data and information across Government. We are able to implement XML schemas to enable Local Authority websites to interact with other websites and digital media.

Metadata

Put simply, Metadata is 'data describing data'. This summary data is included in the website, and whilst not visible to viewers, helps search engines and directories to find information relevant to a specific enquiry.
Government policy on the use of metadata in Internet publications is laid down in the e-Government Interoperability Framework available at: http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/interoperability/egif.asp?order=title.
This mandates the use of metadata in government websites. It requires that metadata conforms to the e-Government Metadata Standard (e-GMS). e-GMS is based on the Dublin Core model produced by the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) - http://dublincore.org . Contact: ukgovtalk@e-envoy.gov.uk for more details.

CITIZENconnect is aware of the importance of using the metadata fields most relevant to Local Authorities. We will examine with each authority the 21 elements proposed by the Government, and make our recommendations on those relevant to each Authority. Once this has been established we create a Metadata template that will be completed each time content is added, and will then automatically upload this critical data to the web page.
We implement Search Engine 'good practice' as standard. If in depth optimisation is required we are also able to offer this highly specialised service.