The newly redesigned website (built on SharePoint Server 2007) www.welfare.ie has won an eGovernment award for most accessible Government website. 

The Department of Social and Family Affairs’ winning entry contains comprehensive information on all of the Department’s schemes and services, as well as policy and legislation, in an easy-to-use, consistent and modern design. Website accessibility for all was one of the key considerations in the redevelopment of www.welfare.ie. The site is accessible to people with disabilities and is user friendly for all customers.

Ireland’s eGovernment Awards, which are in their seventh year, are run by Public Sector Times newspaper and web experts Elucidate, in association with Eircom. The Awards are a benchmark for excellence in Irish eGovernment services and standards and recognize the innovators, developers and experts who are pioneering changes in how the Irish Government delivers services to its citizens. Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin T.D. presented all the winners with their awards at a special ceremony in Dublin.

On every web page, the top navigation has an Accessibility control that allows visitors to select their font size or even a high contrast web page.  Next to the Accessibility control is a Language control - visitors can view the content in English or Gaelic.

Fantastic job on redesigning for accessibility and congrats on the award!