Accessibility of

Norwegian Public Web Sites

- Svein Ølnes, Vestlandsforsking

www.vestforsk.no

Content

Main questions answered

Background

Web accessibility and public web sites

Results 2004 - 2006

Accessibility and national objectives

www.vestforsk.no

Main questions answered

The state of accessibility of public web sites in Norway

Are the eNorge 2009 goals realistic?

www.vestforsk.no

Background

Quality evaluations of public web sites since 2001

Statskonsult responsible for the first evaluations, since then an important part of Norge.no’s work

Annual evaluations (except one evaluation for 2002 and 2003)

Accessibility an important part of all the different evaluation schemes

Web accessibility one of the few areas with explicit goals in the eNorge 2009 plan

W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) as the central premise provider in this area

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Web accessibility and public web sites

Public web portals play an ever increasing important part of information and dialogue with the inhabitants

Access for all a democracy issue “Access for all” stated as important part of eNorge 2009

strategy

“An Information society for all” the name of St.mld. 17/2006

“An Information society for all” an important part of EU ICT policy

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Web accessibility and legislation

EU and Norway: Carrot guidelines, benchmarking, evaluations

USA: Stick “section 508” – Rehabilitation Amendments Act ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

Official Norwegian Report Equality and Accessibility (2005) human rights rather than welfare/charity perspective a separate act against discrimination universal design secured through legislation web accessibility might be established by law

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Web accessibility indicators 2004 - 2006

Indicator Priority Score (%)

1. Provide alt. text for all non-textual elements 1 53,1

2. Do not rely solely on colours for navigation 1 85,1

3. Web pages should be readable also without accompanying style sheets (css)

1 90,1

4. Web pages should be free of flickering images

1 99,6

5. Data tables should be marked with row and column headers

1 28,9

Score is computed as percentage of max. obtainable points

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Web accessibility indicators 2004 - 2006

Indicator Priority Score (%)

6. Compensation for use of frames 1 75,9

7. Preserve functionality also if using special technologies (javascript, java, plug-ins etc.)

1 77,2

8. Good contrast between foreground and background

2/3 87,0

9. Direct links to contenct etc. - 15,2

10. Service provider clearly marked (especially with the use of frames)

2 90,7

Score is computed as percentage of max. obtainable points

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Results 2004 – 2006 (%)

Year Total MunicipalitiesGovernment

agencies

2004 62,4 58,4 69,4

2005 64,5 60,6 71,8

2006 69,0 67,3 72,3

Score is computed as total obtained points in percentage of max. obtainable points

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Results 2004 - 2006

YearNumber of inst.

Number of inst. fulfilling all access. criter.

Percentage

2004 674 2 0,3

2005 699 1 0,1

2006 690 6 1,0

eNorge 2009 goal: 80 % by 2007

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Conclusion

Far from reaching accessibility goals 2006: 1,0 % as opposed to the 80 % goal stated in eNorge 2009 No way the goal can be reached in 2007

Public web sites still has a long way to go regarding accessibility Small improvements from year to year

Speak softly and carry a big stick? Speak softly: Yes (quality evaluations, eNorge goal) Carry a big stick: No

Time’s up for establishing accessibility requirements by law? Today’s methods do not seem to be enough

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End of presentation

Thanks!

Contact information

Svein Ølnes – sol@vestforsk.no