West Sussex Local Offer Report
Introduction:
The aim of this project was to gather feedback to the West Sussex Local Offer. The feedback will then inform further changes / developments and points to consider when further developing our Local Offer.
This work involved in a voluntary focus group. All members of the group were encouraged to give their opinions openly and suggestions to the Local Offer. The conversation was audio recorded, transcribed and then analysed through a content analysis.
There were 6 members of the focus group and was led by Charlotte Smith, Local Offer Officer. The aim of the report was to gather feedback on four areas through semi-structured questions.
a. Local Offer logo
b. Sharing examples of good websites
c. Getting feedback about our Local Offer
d. Accessibility general improvement suggestions
Findings:
a. Logo & Name
Within the group it was suggested that you wouldn’t just be able to see the Local Offer logo and read it. The clearer the font the clearer it would be to read it.
The contrast of the turquoise and white font depended if it was printed, projected on the wall, seen on the laptop or printed on the pen. The stronger the contrast between the turquoise and the white the easier it is to be read.
From the logo itself we discussed what we are trying to achieve with the logo. If it was brand awareness and marketing the logo itself stands out and is memorable. Once you knew it was to say ‘Local Offer’ it wouldn’t be a problem. The comparison of the Coca Cola was given. You wouldn’t read it as Coca Cola but something totally different. “I thought you were coming along to give us discounts… discounts if you were a disabled person”. The name suggestion itself is vague. People wouldn’t necessary of ‘gone to it’ if you weren’t aware of what Local Offer was. “It’s about branding and getting what the Local Offer is about”.
b. Examples of good websites
Two members of the group use Supernova and reported having issues with all websites. Supernova is used by people with low vision. There are several different editions which magnify text & images ‘to a size that suits you’. You can also add speech and braille depending on the version you have. http://yourdolphin.com/products/all One issue shared about using Supernova on websites was if the text didn’t flow in a logical way information would be missed. In addition the supernova changes the contrast of the text and when several colours are used some of this information disappears using Supernova. Fewer colours with high colour contrast were suggested. I asked whether if we added the 3AA to the site it would be beneficial for users. According to a member of the group the 3AA isn’t always compatible to Supernova. This may be the same with other software users may use to make websites available to them. Also depending on the original font size on the website the 3AA would only magnify the information a certain amount which may not be enough for some users.
“It depends on the fonts on the website how much I need to magnify it. If it’s a decent size about 14/16 size font I can just about cope with it but I wouldn’t be able to read it for very long.”
“The 3AA is set for certain font and size so it doesn’t necessary help depending on how small the font is when they first set it up on the website – sometimes they put them in an 11 or 9 but I just switch it off and can’t read.”
Examples of good websites included:
Tesco websites was suggested as a good website because of the logical layout; and
Gov.uk with the plain background, boxes when you need to press something that takes you to the next page. It also clearly shows how to go back gain. “I have watched it go from absolute rubbish to actually a useful tool.”
c. Feedback on the West Sussex Local Offer
Within the group we looked across the main pages of the Local Offer being that the front page, information pages, summary cards and the calendar of event. We also looked at how services and events are listed in the search results.
Front page
Feedback we received about the West Sussex Local Offer was:
“That is actually to me, good.”
The contrast of the website makes it a lot easier to read. The top 3 pictures for 3 members of the group wouldn’t add any extra value as they weren’t able to see / identify these.
“Pictures I wouldn’t even look at unless they are actually trying to tell me something.”
“We have to accept that sight impairment is a small minority and what you are trying to do is attract a bigger majority which is more accessible but if you have that small minority for them you’re not attracting the website for them. So we understand what you are trying to do.”
The title underneath the pictures wasn’t large enough (Find services events and information) and this information hence may be missed.
The fact that there were the three different main colours: colours green / turquoise the information, white writing, and black for the action made it easier to navigate and understand the different levels. The writing between the title and about the Local offer may also be missed.
Information pages
Feedback was that it was easy to read down the page – the font was clear but Supernova would be needed to access the information. The colour of the text with was easier to process and when using the Supernova wouldn’t miss information in regards to changing the contrast.
One of the videos had the initial picture “STEP 5” which they weren’t sure what that meant. I have asked for the display picture to be changed.
Summary Cards
Feedback in regards to the summary cards was “Not bad is it”.
It was noticed that some emails would carry on the second line and so you may miss the last bit of an email.
“As to my experience I would say you have good contrast there.”
The layout of information here was also logical with the separation of the contact details on the right.
Calendar of events
“I would definitely be able to find the information I wanted.”
d. Technology
Our Local Offer website has been designed to be used on multiple platforms including phones and tablets. A member of the group added that phones and tablets have magnifiers built into them. This means that if someone had to enlarge the text they could do so through their phone or tablet.
“I use my Ipad because I know I can enlarge it with my fingers.”
Accessibility
I asked the group whether it would be useful to have further information about the accessibility of the location of the service. They suggested it would be ‘helpful’ but appreciated that sometimes it could be a lot of information. It was suggested that this information should appear on the side (e.g. the SE7 / SEN Information Report button). It was suggested that the button on the side would be useful as ‘if you include everything you would end up with a massive essay’.
I brought up DisabilityGo as an example. The comment feature on DisabilityGo was mentioned ‘You can put why it’s good but also’ if there had been changes from when the report was done you can leave a comment.
Conclusion
The Local Offer logo itself isn’t legible by reading but gives the Local Offer a memorable brand identity. The name itself also indicates that by being able to read ‘Local Offer’ you may think it relates to a discount. We discussed technology and software (Supernova / 3AA) to make the information on the website accessible. It depended on the original size of the text whether or not 3AA would be beneficial / helpful to one user as it only enlarges text to a certain size and font. With the use of Supernova you can magnify the text to the relevant size for the user. Phones and tablets now have built in magnifiers to enlarge text. The West Sussex Local Offer is compatible with both phones and tablet devices.
The Local Offer feedback was overall ‘good’ with members of the group being able to find the information that they wanted.
Reflections / Considerations
In further branding and marketing the Local Offer website it is important to use both text and Local Offer logo to reinforce the Local Offer identity. A line about what the Local Offer is should also be added to ensure people don’t think it’s about giving discounts on leaflets / posters and marketing material.
When using the Local Offer logo – ensuring the contrast between the turquoise and the white is a good quality and that the contrast is strong. There is also work in marketing what the Local Offer is to the wider community – brand awareness. We have already increased the size of the lettering ‘find services, events and information’ on the front page as the text size was reported not to be big enough and easily missed. Emails now on summary cards have been replaced by an icon which is interactive and email will appear when you hover over it.
In developing the Local Offer further it is important to remember to use only a few core colours and ensure that the contrast between the writing and the background is strong. Although photos may benefit the wider audience it is important to be mindful that the pictures may not be processed by all users of the site.
We will also look into suggestions / scope an ‘accessibility button’ on the Local Offer. GoDisability were commissioned by Arun District Council to do full report or services in their area. It would be a link off document to this report. Other providers may also be encouraged and share practices into making their venues ‘accessible’. It is something to see whether we are able to share with permission but something to consider. Action: To ask further feedback from providers, children, young people, parent carers and their families.
Technology – from software uses such as Supernova and the current BBC guides to disability on our Local Offer under accessibility on the “Learn more about our Local Offer” information pages. It is important that we understand how people with a sight problem already use websites and other forms of technology including Ipads. In addition to doing this on the Local Offer – it may be beneficial to raise awareness of these programs to other professionals including school staff members so they are aware of the tools they could use in supporting a child or young person. Additionally the sensory support team may already do some work in regards to this and wider accessibility issues.
In developing the West Sussex Local Offer we have ensured it is compatible on different devices – we should perhaps work on pushing this forward as a value and use the quotes “I use my Ipad because I know I can enlarge it with my fingers.” In promoting the use of comments feature on the Local Offer (on individual summary cards) to gather experiences of children, young people and providers of the service the comment feature also enables others to bring to our attention if the information is not up to date and use the new features / developments added to the Local Offer.
Download the report here
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