Sheffields revamped website, powered by EasySite, has been given an A-Site rating by the National Library for the Blind (NLB) because it provides easy access for people with visual impairments.

 

The NLB says that though the site isn't perfect, the recent redesign and restructure of Sheffield's Website has pushed the accessibility rating up to 86% - making Sheffield's site one of the best in the country.  

 

Jan Wilson, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "This is very welcome news. One of the Council's key priorities is about making services easier to access. We already have the brilliant First Point service at Howden House. We've a new call centre opening in the Summer, and now to top it, we're acknowledged as having one of the most accessible websites too."  

 

 

 

City Librarian, Janice Maskort, who chairs the Council's website steering group, is delighted with the site's accessibility rating. She said: "Our investment in a better website is paying dividends within a few weeks of being launched, and we have an improved accessibility package coming on line very soon which will address those things we know are not right at the moment."  

 

The new website is a key part of the Council's strategy for improving customer access to services. As well as a 1,500 pages of information about the Council and the services it provides, the new website has a contacts book which gives telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for more than 250 services.   "The Contacts Book facility allows people to get in touch with us at any time to report abandoned cars and incidents of fly-tipping, for example, or to make a general enquiry about any aspect of service." said Janice.