News - Web Guidelines published
Web Guidelines published
October 2001
Almost every web users knows the frustration of working through a plethora of website designs, lack of basic information like contact details, poor navigation aids, and problems with sites that don't cater for less able visitors or those without the latest browsers.
For the first time New Zealand government agencies have a common set of technical standards to help them address at least some of these concerns. The New Zealand Government Web Guidelines provide a starting point for all agencies delivering information and other services across the web. They set out ways to make sites that are easy to use, accessible to all users of the Internet and consistent with other government websites.
New Zealand is certainly not the only country looking for a more accessible user-friendly web presence from government. The current guidelines started life in the UK and were picked up by the Government Information System Managers' Forum (GOVIS) last year. GOVIS conducted a review of the UK guidelines and passed on their recommendations to the E-government Unit. The EGU extended the review to compare the guidelines with similar activities in Australia and United States, as well as align them with the strategic aims of the New Zealand E-government Programme.
In February this year a draft version of the guidelines adapted for New Zealand was make available for consultation to stakeholders in government agencies, industry professionals and consumers of online information and services. By the end of June, feedback from these groups had been incorporated into the Guidelines that are now in place.
The Guidelines should be read by anyone involved in delivering a service or information to the public using the Internet, including senior managers, business managers, website managers, professionals and advisors supporting website operations and those tendering for Internet services.
The Guidelines set out the essential items of information for every public sector website, such as a list of Ministers relevant to the agency, an email address for enquiries and a link to NZGO so that visitors can find services offered by other government organisations. There is guidance on appropriate and accessible site design, as well as ways to make an agency's online presence reflect the aims of e-government. Overall management of an agency's online presence is also covered along with advice on purchasing Internet services and obtaining a site name from the govt.nz domain.
The Guidelines will be reviewed in the first half of 2002 and then updated annually.
While not currently mandatory, agencies are strongly advised to develop plans to implement these guidelines. They represent the best way currently available to ensure agency websites meet the needs of as many users as possible.
For more information email web.guidelines@ssc.govt.nz.
