Accessibility
What is accessibility in digital services?
Accessibility means that digital services take into account different users, their needs, and usage situations so that everyone can use the services as easily as possible.
The accessibility of public sector online services is regulated by the Act on the Provision of Digital Services. Accessibility means that various users can use websites and mobile applications, including users with disabilities or those using technical aids. Accessibility also includes the principle of easily understandable web content.
The law requires that content published online complies with the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is an international standard on which the requirements are based. WCAG includes three different levels of accessibility: A, AA, and AAA.
Accessibility Statement
This accessibility statement applies to the Service Manual website. The website address is https://uusi.palvelumanuaali.fi/.
City Objective
In Helsinki, the goal for digital service accessibility is to strive for at least WCAG AA level or higher, if reasonably achievable.
Compliance Status
This website meets the critical accessibility requirements set by law under WCAG 2.1 level AA, with the following identified deficiencies.
Non-accessible content
The following content does not yet meet all the accessibility requirements set by law.
Identified deficiencies
Cookie consent: The site's cookie consent does not receive keyboard focus initially; the page content must first be browsed to focus the buttons (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.3 Focus Order).
Non-text content: Not all images have clear text alternatives for users of assistive technology (WCAG 2.1: 1.1.1 Non-text content).
Notifications of content changes: Some content changes do not automatically transmit to users of assistive technology (WCAG 2.1: 4.1.3 Status Messages).
Content changes automatically: The site has search functions where content updates automatically without user input (WCAG 2.1: 3.2.2 Input).
Functionality of elements: Not all elements (links, buttons, form elements) have accessible names and/or roles or are ambiguously defined (WCAG 2.1: 4.1.2 Name, role, value). Additionally, not all form elements have visible labels (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.6 Headings and Labels).
Placement and description of elements: Visual information about all elements (links, buttons) does not convey to users of assistive technology, such as the description of application form steps and the placement of some links in relation to content (WCAG 2.1: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships).
Error notifications: Not all error messages are sufficiently clear to all users (WCAG 2.1: 3.3.1 Error Identification, 3.3.3 Error Suggestion).
Focus order: The focus order of some elements is illogical (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.3 Focus Order).
Visible focus: Not all interactive elements have a clear focus indicator (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.7 Visible Focus).
Links: The purpose of all links is not clearly indicated (WCAG 2.1: 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)).
Contrast: The site has content where the contrast with the background is below minimum requirements (WCAG 2.1: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum), 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast).
Responsiveness: Some content overlaps or goes outside the screen on small screens or overlaps partially or entirely, making it difficult to use the site, especially on mobile devices (WCAG 2.1: 1.4.10 Responsiveness).
Site language: Not all content is available in the selected site language, or language settings are not correctly defined for assistive technology (WCAG 2.1: 3.1.2 Language Parts).
Correction of deficiencies
The deficiencies listed above will be corrected by the end of 2026.
The site continues to be developed, and users may encounter accessibility issues. Please inform the administrator at palvelumanuaali@hel.fi if you notice a problem on the site that is not listed.
Access to information in accessible format
Due to the aforementioned deficiencies, content that remains inaccessible can be requested from the site administrator.
City Chancellery / Helsinki Employment Services
This statement was prepared on June 24, 2024.
Accessibility Assessment
Accessibility assessment follows the work instructions and methods of the City of Helsinki, which aim to ensure accessibility throughout all stages of the site.
Accessibility has been assessed through external expert audits and self-assessment.
Accessibility has been checked using automated accessibility testing tools and manual checks of the site and content.
Deficiencies reported by evaluation tools have been reviewed and corrected as necessary.
The external expert audit was conducted by Unicus Oy.
Updating the Accessibility Statement
The site's accessibility is continuously monitored for changes in technology or content and periodically assessed for accessibility. This statement is updated with changes to the site and accessibility checks.
City of Helsinki and Accessibility
The city promotes the accessibility of digital services by standardizing publishing work and providing accessibility-focused training to its staff.
The level of website accessibility is continuously monitored during maintenance. Identified deficiencies are addressed immediately, and necessary changes are made as quickly as possible.
People with disabilities and users of assistive technologies
The city provides advice and support to people with disabilities and users of assistive technologies. Support is available on the city's advisory pages as announced and through telephone counseling.
Feedback and contact information
City of Helsinki / Helsinki Employment Services is responsible for the accessibility of the site.
Reporting Non-Accessible Content
If a user feels that accessibility requirements are not met, they can report this via email to palvelumanuaali@hel.fi or through the feedback form (https://forms.office.com/e/ehDpQ7L21m).
Requesting Information in Accessible Format
If a user feels they are not receiving site content in an accessible format, they can request this information via email to palvelumanuaali@hel.fi or through the feedback form (https://forms.office.com/e/ehDpQ7L21m). Inquiries will be responded to promptly.
Legal Protection of Accessibility, Enforcement Procedure
If a person feels that their notification or inquiry has not been answered or the response is unsatisfactory, they can report it to the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland. The Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency's website provides detailed information on how the matter will be handled.
Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency
Accessibility Supervision Unit
www.saavutettavuusvaatimukset.fi
Switchboard: 0295 016 000
Open: Mon-Fri 8.00 am - 4.15 pm
Approval of Accessibility Statement
This statement was approved on June 26, 2024
City of Helsinki / Helsinki Employment Services
Helsinki City
The website was initially published for limited user groups on September 1, 2023. The site is still under active development, and updates are made regularly.
The statement was last updated on June 26, 2024. During the update, the addresses of the forms and contact details of the service were changed for the users of the statement.
Accessibility of the Service Manual online service is assessed throughout its development lifecycle, with accessibility principles in mind when designing the service.