Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement pertains to the City of Helsinki’s Accessibility Model website.

The website’s address is https://saavutettavuusmalli.hel.fi/

Statutory provisions applicable to the website

This website was published after 23 September 2018. The website must comply with the accessibility requirements as required by law.

The City’s objective

Regarding the City’s digital services, the City’s objective is to achieve level AA or higher as defined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), as far as reasonably possible.

The City contributes to the accessibility of digital services by making publications more consistent and organising accessibility-related training for its employees. The accessibility level of websites is constantly monitored in the maintenance of the sites. Any shortcomings observed are reacted to immediately and the necessary changes are made as rapidly as possible.

Creation of the accessibility statement

This accessibility statement was created on 23 March 2022.

Compliance status

This website complies with the critical accessibility requirements at the AA level of WCAG 2.1 but includes the following shortcomings.

Summary of the accessibility of the service

The website features some minor issues the remedying of which can improve accessibility, but the issues are not actual WCAG breaches. Nevertheless, there are several issues with aspects such as the behaviour of links, as well as some of the website elements and their behaviour, particularly for screen readers.

Accessibility assessment

The work guidelines and methods of the City of Helsinki that aim to ensure the accessibility of the website in all phases of work are applied in the assessment of accessibility.

Accessibility has been verified through an audit performed by an external specialist and through self-assessment. Accessibility has been verified using a programmatic accessibility verification and manual inspection of the website and its contents. The issues reported by the assessment tools have been inspected and remedied where necessary.

The external specialist audit was carried out by Unicus Oy.

Shortcomings observed

The website features links that prompt a file download or open in a new tab without warning (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
The website features link pairs that are identical, yet have a different link text (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context))
The website features English-language content without the appropriate ‘lang’ attribute (WCAG 2.1: 3.1.2 Language of Parts)
The navigation menu of the page moves out of the view when the page is browsed in the responsive 320 x 256 px mode (WCAG 2.1: 1.4.10 Reflow)
The search button of the website removes screen readers from normal browsing and fails to notify the user of opening the search field (WCAG 2.1: 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation, 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value)
The landmark for the search field in the footer of the website is in the previous element and the search function has several labels (WCAG 2.1: 1.1.1 Non-text Content, 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.6 Headings and Labels, 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions)
The ‘close’ button for text areas opened on the website does not notify the user of closing the area and moves the focus elsewhere (WCAG 2.1: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.3 Focus Order, 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value, 4.1.3 Status Messages)

Remedying of shortcomings

The City of Helsinki strives to remedy any critical shortcomings to conform to the AA level continuously in accordance with the remedying suggestions provided in the accessibility report. The list of accessibility shortcomings observed, as presented in this statement, will be updated as shortcomings are remedied.

Updating the accessibility statement

The accessibility of the website will be maintained through constant supervision as the technology or contents change, as well as through regular inspections. This statement will be updated in connection with the changes to the website and as accessibility is inspected.

Requesting information in an accessible form

If a user feels they are not receiving the website’s content in an accessible form, they may request this information by sending an e-mail tohelsinki.palaute@hel.fi or by using the feedback form www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/administration/participate/feedback. We aim to respond to any requests within a reasonable time.

Feedback and contact information

Central Administration / City Executive Office

kati.seppala@hel.fi

Accessibility in the City of Helsinki

The aim of the City of Helsinki is to be a barrier-free city that is accessible to all. The City aims to provide all residents of the city with an area in which it is easy to move around and operate and to make all the services and content of the City accessible to all.

The City contributes to the accessibility of digital services by making publications more consistent and organising accessibility-related training for its employees.

The accessibility level of websites is constantly monitored in the maintenance of the sites. Any shortcomings observed are reacted to immediately. We attempt to make the necessary changes as rapidly as possible.

People with disabilities and users of assistive technologies

The City provides persons with disabilities and persons who use assistive technologies with help and support. Support is available on the guidance pages specified on the City’s websites and via the phone service.

Reporting non-accessible content

If a user feels that the accessibility requirements have not been met, they can report this by e-mail to helsinki.palaute@hel.fi or by filling in a feedback form at https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/administration/participate/feedback.

If a user feels they are not receiving the website’s content in an accessible form, they may request this information by sending an e-mail to helsinki.palaute@hel.fi or by using the feedback form www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/administration/participate/feedback. We aim to respond to any requests within a reasonable time.

Legal protection of accessibility, execution proceedings

If a user feels that their notification or enquiry has not been responded to or the reply is inadequate, they have the right to submit a complaint to the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland. The Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland website includes detailed instructions for this process.

Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland
Accessibility Supervision Unit
www.saavutettavuusvaatimukset.fi
saavutettavuus@avi.fi
Telephone exchange: +358 (0)2 95 016 000
Open: Mon–Fri 8:00–16:15

Approval of the accessibility statement

This statement was approved on 23 March 2022
Central Administration / City Executive Office
City of Helsinki