Accessibility statement

This accessibility statement applies to the Accessibility Model website (www.saavutettavuusmalli.hel.fi) run by the City of Helsinki. This statement explains the website’s accessibility and how to submit accessibility-related feedback.

How accessible is this website?

Finland’s Act on the Provision of Digital Services states that public websites must be accessible. In other words, everyone should have an equal opportunity to use websites.

The website is for the most part complaint with all of the statutorily mandated accessibility requirements (WCAG criteria 2.1, A and AA standards). The website has some accessibility shortcomings which are described in more detail below.

Non-accessible content

The website is not fully accessible. The content or functions listed below are not fully complaint with the statutory mandated accessibility requirements. We strive to continuously correct any detected shortcomings. This accessibility statement’s list of shortcomings is updated every time we rectify a shortcoming.

  • 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)

Content outside the scope of the applicable legislation 

The accessibility requirements do not apply to the following content: 

  • training material used on a temporary basis for limited groups 
  • material put out by users or other external parties that is not produced, funded or monitored by the service provider 
  • material from cultural heritage collections that cannot be changed to a form that meets the accessibility requirements 
  • maps not intended for navigational use (for example, weather or terrain maps) 
  • MS Office files (for example, .doc, PDF and ODT) that were published before 23 September 2018 
  • online content that was archived before 23 September 2018 
  • live video or audio broadcasts that are not recorded for purposes of being saved or re-released 
  • video or audio recordings released before 23 September 2018 

Accessibility assessment 

The accessibility assessment follows the City of Helsinki’s operational guidelines and methods that aim to secure the service’s accessibility throughout every work stage.  

The accessibility of the website has been assessed by both a self-assessment and a third-party expert audit. The assessment included programmatic accessibility testing and a manual examination of the website and its content.  

Did you notice shortcomings in accessibility? 

We aim to continuously improve the accessibility of our website. If you encounter non-compliant content on the website that is not described on this page, please report it to us. Send your feedback by filling out the City of Helsinki’s feedback form. 

Accessibility monitoring 

The Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland enforces compliance with accessibility requirements. If you are dissatisfied with the reply you received from us about a detected accessibility shortcoming or you did not receive a reply within 14 days, you may submit a complaint or request for information to the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland. The website of the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland has information on submitting a complaint and how complaints are processed. 

Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland 
Accessibility Monitoring Unit 
E-mail: saavutettavuus@avi.fi 
Telephone number: +358 295 016 000 (Switchboard) 

www.webaccessibility.fi 

Accessibility statement information 

This website was published on 23.3.2022. 

This accessibility statement was prepared on 23.3.2022.

This accessibility statement was last reviewed on 15.3.2024. 

Act on the Provision of Digital Services (306/2019)