Utilities Kingston announced this week that it has launched a new, more accessible and responsive version of its corporate website, updated in house by a team of Utilities Kingston employees.
Visitors with disabilities will notice an improved experience with the upgrade and customers using a mobile device will have greater access to Utilities Kingston’s online services and information.
The agency notes this upgrade has been completed well in advance of the province’s January 1, 2021 deadline for businesses in Ontario to make their websites accessible for people with disabilities.
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Accessibility improvements are in accordance with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA, which deals with the biggest and most common barriers, and tested to be screen-reader friendly.
“We’re proud to deliver these improvements well ahead of Ontario’s deadline,” said Martina Tremmel, Manager of Corporate Communications for Utilities Kingston. “Our customers rely on our website for many things: to connect with utility services, access information to protect their homes and health, be more energy efficient and water wise, and stay informed on service interruptions. By making our website accessible and responsive, we are ensuring that everyone is included, and has reliable access to services and information.”
You can visit the new website at utilitieskingston.com.
According to Utilities Kingston, its website has 15,000 users per month with 45 per cent of them visiting from a mobile device. Webpages accessed thje most by customers are related to power outages, careers, basement flooding causes, payment options, and opening a utility account.
The accessible and responsive website was updated in house by a team of Utilities Kingston employees. It is optimized for the latest mobile devices and the following browsers: Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, and the last two versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Customers having feedback on the new design or who experience and issues when using the new website – including difficulty locating a webpage, as some may have been moved – can use the website’s contact form or call customer service, Monday to Friday, between 8am and 5pm.
Utilities Kingston notes that websites at kingstonhydro.com and my.utilitieskingston.com are not affected by this upgrade.