Benefits accessible website for municipalities: 5 points in a row
Currently, 24 municipalities have A status for their main website in the register Accessibility Statements. That is about 7% of all municipalities in the Netherlands. That may seem low, but is it really so? We look at the figures and discuss the main advantages accessible websites have for a municipality.
Municipalities, like other government organisations, have a duty to make their online communication such that everyone can use it. So this also applies to residents with disabilities or who are less handy with the internet for other reasons.
Besides being a duty for municipalities, taking into account digital accessibility brings more benefits. These are the 5 benefits accessible website
5x benefits accessible website for municipalities
As a municipality, you want as many residents as possible to be able to make good use of your website. Better said: everyone should be able to participate. A digitally accessible website or app helps to achieve this. Why? We list five key benefits of accessible websites.
1. Less frustration, more positive image
The municipal website is usually visited because a resident needs "something" from the municipality. Or "something" needs to be arranged. For example, reporting a change of address, information about opening hours of the waste disposal site, applying for a new passport or filing a complaint about municipal taxes.
If the municipal website is user-friendly and easily accessible, fewer frustrations arise during the online visit. This makes the visitor feel more positive about that (sometimes difficult) thing that needs to be arranged. Digital accessibility thus contributes to the positive image of the municipality.
2. Fewer questions at the counter
If residents find an answer to their question faster on the website, they don't have to come by or pick up the phone. So you get fewer questions at the front desk or telephone customer service. So an accessible website reduces the number of people who need to be deployed for this purpose. These officials can therefore be deployed on other important work.
3. Everyone participates
Not everyone has the ability to pick up the phone with a question or drop by the town hall or city office. This may be because of a physical disability, but also consider other problems such as stress and anxiety (agoraphobia). And sometimes someone may be able to visit, but it takes far too much energy. A person would rather use that energy for fun things.
An easily accessible website helps every resident find answers to their questions and problems. The website is designed to make everyone feel heard. Inclusive and accessible, in other words. That way, everyone really does participate. So the aim is to make digital services easier for everyone.
4. Greater engagement
Residents are more likely to engage with the municipality if they hear and see your message in a positive, inclusive and understandable way. This applies to all your communications, both online and offline. The accessibility of the websites and apps in your municipality are important for this. So you reach more people as a result.
5. Your website becomes easier to manage
While creating an accessible website, you put the human being at the centre. This makes you think more carefully about your website, the level of your texts and the images and videos you use. It will improve your communication strategy. It will also make your website clearer. It will be easier to manage. You will work more efficiently, again saving costs.
Municipalities with 100% accessible websites
Of the 344 municipalities in the Netherlands "only" 24 have a fully accessible website, according to the overview on accessibilitystatement.nl. This us rewarded with the highest status A in the accessibility declaration. That may seem low, but that does not mean that the other 320 municipal websites are poorly accessible.
To comply with the Temporary Digital Accessibility Decree, websites or apps do not have to meet all the requirements right away. You are expected to start improving your website or app so that you eventually fully comply with the accessibility standard, the WCAG.
All efforts and improvements are described in an accessibility statement. If, according to a survey, you are fully WCAG-proof, then you have A status. But even without that A status, your website or app can be well accessible, just not quite yet.
Much focus on digital accessibility at municipalities
According to our research, there are 205 municipalities whose main website has a B status. They know where the problems are, for example because they have done a independent WCAG survey. They show that they value digital accessibility and have described this in an accessibility statement.
Accessibility statement status for 344 municipalities as of 22 March 2022
So more than half of the municipal websites are easily accessible to their residents. This also means that the other municipalities still have some steps to take. There are 64 municipalities with a C status. They have taken the first steps towards an accessible website. 34 municipalities have a D status. They have not yet looked at the accessibility of their sites at all. Especially the 17 municipalities without an accessibility declaration still need some improvement. They currently still have an E status, they do not comply with the legislation. Some of these municipalities are known to be in the process of improving the accessibility of their websites.
Of the 17 municipalities without an accessibility statement, six are in the process of delivering a new website; they have indicated that they will publish an accessibility statement next. These are the municipalities: Brielle, Ommen, Rijswijk, Wijdemeren, Woensdrecht, Zoeterwoude and Zwijndrecht.
Advantages accessible website: make use of them
So an accessible website has many advantages for a municipality that you can already use before the new compulsory legislation. Among other things, you work on a more positive image, receive fewer questions at the reception desk, allow everyone in your municipality to participate, ensure greater involvement with your residents and create a website that is also easier for you to manage.
Instantly improve your website, but don't know where to start? We will gladly help you. With consultancy and studies, we will show you what you can still do to help more inhabitants of your municipality.