The Riverside Group became the first housing association to gain the See it Right accreditation, from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), for its website: www.riverside.org.uk. Its website underwent a rigorous audit process to ensure it is accessible to as many users as possible, including those with physical or visual impairments or learning disabilities.
The website passed the strict 28 point checklist laid down by the RNIB. The See it Right standard is based on the Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines, which are the globally accepted standards for website accessibility.
Donna Smillie, Senior Web Accessibility Consultant at RNIB, said: "The web should be a cheap and effective way for people with disabilities to access services and information. But very often sites are poorly designed, locking out people with disabilities. However, it is relatively easy to create sites that are accessible - guidelines are available. It needn't be expensive and you don't have to compromise on design.
Information on The Riverside Group's website is available in an alternative format, to ensure that everyone can access the information in a format that suits their own needs and is compatible with their web browsing technology.
The website has also been designed to allow users with impaired vision to fully enlarge all text. Text-based links have been used, rather than graphic images - so the user can still navigate the site whilst viewing it in enlarged format. For people with colour vision problems, all background colours were chosen to ensure the best possible contrast.
The layout of the site and each page has been designed in a logical format so people using speech synthesiser software can navigate more easily around the site and are presented with information in a logical order.
Spelthorne Borough Council announced that Northgate Information Solutions has been selected to provide a new housing management system for the borough.
The Northgate system offers features that include:
Wychavon District Council was encouraging residents to 'press the red button', as it launched Digi-TV. The new digital television service will allow residents with Sky, cable and Freeview boxes to gain immediate access to the Council's services from the comfort of their own sofa.
Digi-TV allows 24-hour access to a range of services, from reporting fly-tipping and finding out about food safety, to getting the latest transport and travel information and applying for social housing.
Cheryl Peters, Business Analyst & Project Manager at Wychavon District Council said: "Digi-TV is a cost-effective and easy way to offer services to members of our community who may not have Internet access or computer skills. We are proud to be among the first to use this new channel."