Vision Support are seeking proposals from experienced web development companies that can design and develop a visually appealing, user-friendly, and fully accessible website. The selected company will be responsible for the entire development process, from the initial design phase to the final launch of the website, together with ongoing maintenance and health checks.
As a charitable organisation, our mission is to enhance the quality of life, promote the continuing independence and raise awareness of vision impaired people of all ages in our community. We believe that a modern, accessible website is essential to effectively communicate our message and engage with our service users. We are hoping that a new website will enable us to increase our reach and honour our mission and values.
This is not a legal document; it is a document to confirm website requirements that have been identified to date (July 2023).
Requirements and Expectations:
Our current website is https://visionsupport.org.uk/. Our new website would need a fresh, modern design whilst keeping the current logo. In addition, the following requirements would need to be implemented.
Accessibility: The website must adhere to WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Level AA standards to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. The tendering company should provide evidence of their expertise in building accessible websites. In addition, a clean and uncomplicated design with minimal images, click on click off for drop down menus, colour contrast options, and all page navigation to be in the same location (i.e. across the top).
Responsive Design: The website should be responsive and optimised for viewing on various devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. It should provide an optimal user experience across different screen sizes.
Intuitive Navigation: The website should have a clear and intuitive navigation structure that enables visitors to easily find the information they are looking for. An intuitive and user-friendly interface is essential for a positive user experience.
Content Management System (CMS): The website should be built on a robust CMS that allows our team to update and manage the content efficiently. We prefer widely used CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla.
Donation and Fundraising Features: The website should include secure online donation functionality, allowing visitors to make monetary contributions easily. It should also support fundraising campaigns, event registrations, and volunteer sign-ups.
Embedded Web Forms: The website should have inbuilt proformas for job applications, membership applications, newsletter subscription requests, surveys, contact forms and bus schedule subscriptions etc.
Integration with Social Media: The website should integrate with our social media accounts, allowing seamless sharing of content and cross-platform engagement. Social media widgets and sharing buttons should be included to facilitate interaction.
Integrated Social Calendar: The website should have an inbuilt calendar where we can post and update all current and upcoming events.
Stock List: The website should have the capability to hold a stock list of equipment with photographs and descriptions, with the ability for service users to apply for certain pieces. This will also include a separate list and application form for British Wireless for the Blind.
Password Protected Members and Volunteers Areas: The website should have a separate section where members and volunteers can access information specific to them.
Downloadable Content: The website should have capability for external organisations to access and download forms and how to guides. This will also include the ability to scan QR codes to open folders containing downloadable documents.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): The website should be optimised for search engines to improve its visibility and organic ranking. The tendering company should have a proven track record in implementing effective SEO strategies.
Multimedia Integration: The website should support the integration of multimedia elements such as images, videos, and audio files. It should provide a platform to showcase our charity’s work through compelling visual and multimedia content.
Secure and Scalable Architecture: The website should be built on a secure infrastructure and follow best practices to ensure data protection and privacy. It should be scalable to accommodate future growth and changes.
Analytics: The website should have the capability to produce reports and data to show visitor levels and activity.
Websites for Consideration
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs – great for screen readers.
https://bradburyfields.org.uk/ good but using a screen reader, it has a menu that you are unable to access with any shortcut keys like tab, because it hasn’t been coded as an actual element, just a visual one. Also quite busy which could be difficult for some users.
https://wirralsociety.org.uk/ good but using a screen reader, there are submenus which would lead you to believe that they have additional options within, but once activated actually open new pages. Also quite busy which could be difficult for some users.
https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/ – good aesthetically but structural issues with a screen reader including the search bar reading like you can’t type in it. Although, the main image is very busy so some people with low vision would struggle with that.
https://www.macularsociety.org/ – some structural issues including duplicated links, but good usability. Clean and cohesive layout and colour scheme, and the accessibility tools are comprehensive and easy to find.
www.uebonline.org – good accessibility options.
https://www.redlobster.com/ – great with a screen reader.
Deliverables and Timeline:
Initial design concepts, including wireframes and mockups, to be submitted for review within 4 weeks after the contract is awarded (by 6th October 2023).
Development of the approved design into a fully functional website, including the integration of required features and functionalities, to be completed within 8 weeks from the design approval date (by 8th December 2023).
User acceptance testing (UAT) phase to identify and address any bugs or issues. The UAT period should not exceed 2 weeks (by 22nd December 2023). Please note, it is important you work closely with our staff who have a vision impairment to ensure accessibility.
Training and documentation to be provided to our team for content management and website administration.
Final launch and deployment of the website on our chosen hosting environment (by 15th January 2024 or earlier if possible).
Ongoing maintenance and testing.
Costing
Please provide a full breakdown of costs with your proposal.
Submission of Proposal:
Please submit your proposal by email or post (details below) to Kate Hurst by 18th August 2023.
Kate Hurst
Internal Operations Manager
Vision Support
Units 1 & 2 The Ropeworks
Whipcord Lane
Chester
CH1 4DZ
The proposal should include the following:
Company profile, including relevant experience in website development and accessibility compliance.
Proposed approach and methodology for the website development process.
Detailed breakdown of costs, including any licensing fees, ongoing maintenance charges, and payment.
Interviews will be conducted W/C 28th August 2023, with the tender being awarded by 8th September 2023.
Confidentiality
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“the Act”) and The Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (“EIR”) we may be required to disclose information concerning the procurement process or the Contract to a person who makes a request.
In this Confidentiality document tenderers may include details of information provided in their tender they consider should be withheld from disclosure, for example, because it would be likely to prejudice their commercial interest if disclosed to a third party including valid reasons for the exemption.
The tender document must be treated as private and confidential. Tenderers should not disclose the fact that they have been invited to tender or release details of the tender document other than on an “in confidence” basis to these who have legitimate need to know or whom they need to consult for the purpose of preparing the tender.
