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Account

Cause

The Advies Overheid.nl Programme had the project 'Accessibility and sustainability of government information on the Internet' carried out under commission from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The aim of the project was to conduct research and create a manual aimed at improving the accessibility and sustainability of government information on the Internet. This project was implemented within the framework of improving the online transparency of the government, one of the objectives laid down in the cabinet plan 'Other Government'. The implementing parties in this project were TNO and Cinnamon Interactive.

Content

The project consists of two parts:

1. The development of a manual to contribute to significantly enhanced accessibility, sustainability and compatibility of information on government websites. This manual targets principals, contractors, webmasters and content managers. They can use it as a resource and reference work in the development, administration and evaluation of websites for companies and organisations. In order to clarify and structure the term 'sustainable accessibility of information' and the requirements made of a website, a framework of reference has been developed. By filling in the matrix structure of the framework with requirements for accessibility, we arrive at a framework to be fulfilled by a sustainable accessible website. The practical definition of this framework is based on adopted, tried and tested international standards from W3C and WCAG. Apart from these guidelines, the manual also offers 'best practices' for a range of subjects related to the publication of government information on the internet.
2. Conducting research in order to further support and buoy up parts of this manual. The following questions were answered in the process:
   • What are the quality criteria for sustainable and accessible websites?
   • What is the role of a manual in acquiring a sustainable and accessible website?
   • Is the framework with criteria for requirements complete and useable?
   • What is the role of open standards in the acquisition of a sustainable and accessible website?
   • What obstacles can be expected in the implementation of the manual and how can these be resolved?
   • What are realistic expectations in relation to the tempo at which guidelines are accepted?

Process approach & organisation

When executing the project activities, both Cinnamon Interactive and TNO made use of their knowledge, expertise and research with respect to realising accessible websites. Feedback and input from the supervisory committee have contributed to a significant extent to the end result of the manual and the research questions. This supervisory committee consisted of Mr P.M.H. Waters and Mr R. de Rooij of the Advies Overheid.nl programme, Mr M. Mollema from the OSOSS programme and Mr G.C. Berkouwer of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The use of a website with a 'shared workspace' has ensured active participation by the project partners and the supervisory committee in the project.

End result

The results of the project were delivered by Cinnamon Interactive in the form of a website, built in accordance with the criteria as laid down in the manual. This website shows the manual for sustainable accessibility, as well as an elaboration of the research questions.

Follow-up

Following the launch of the website, visitors' experiences in relation to the information on the website are being used to adjust and modify the content wherever necessary. The website is to reflect changing insights with respect to accessibility of web content. In this way, the website will grow into a 'living document' that offers an up-to-date survey in the area of digital accessibility of information.