Use PermitDesk by keyboard, screen reader and phone
This page explains how to complete each task with a keyboard, with a screen reader and on a phone, and how to report a barrier so staff can fix it.
Accessibility target and what has been checked
PermitDesk is built to WCAG 2.1 AA. An independent accessibility review and a VPAT are delivered before go-live, so accessibility is tested by an outside reviewer and not only by the builders.
- Real headings in order, with one heading for the page and sections under it.
- A visible label on every field, with an error message that says what to fix.
- Keyboard operation for every action, with a visible focus outline.
- Good contrast between text and background, and status shown by text as well as colour.
- Alt text on pictures, with decorative pictures marked as decorative.
- Phone layout that stacks tables and forms into one column.
Do not rely on a badge alone. At setup, ask for the review and VPAT plan for your town and record the review date in town settings.
Labels, headings, focus, contrast and phone layout
Use the steps below for the task you are doing. Each sequence ends with what you should see when it worked.
Use PermitDesk with a keyboard in five steps
Move to the first control
Press Tab until the Skip to content link or the first field is highlighted. The outline shows where you are.
Read the heading and label
Each screen starts with a heading that names the task. Each field has a label next to it. Read both before you type.
Complete the field and move on
Type or choose the value, press Enter where the screen asks for it, or press Tab to move to the next field.
Fix an error without losing your work
If a field is marked, read the message that says what to fix, change only that field, and press the button again. Your other entries stay in place.
Confirm the result
You should see a confirmation, a receipt number, a record number or the next step for the record. Save it before you leave the screen.
Use PermitDesk with a screen reader in four steps
Start at the heading
Move by headings to the page title, then to the section for your task. Headings are in order, so you can jump straight to Apply, Pay or Request an inspection.
Listen to the label and help text
Each field reads its label aloud, followed by any help text that explains accepted values.
Follow the status in words
Status is shown as text, such as Needs attention or In review, with the next action and due date, not by colour alone.
Check pictures by their description
Each picture has a text description that names what the drawing shows. Decorative pictures are skipped.
Use PermitDesk on a phone in four steps
Open the portal or app in the phone browser
Use the same address as on a computer. No separate download is needed for the portal or for field work.
Turn the phone upright for forms
Fields stack in one column. Tap targets are large enough for field use, and tables become cards.
Save a draft before you lose coverage
For an application, save your draft and note the step you left. You can resume it from your records list. See the guide to apply for a permit.
Record field results offline and sync
Inspectors work the checklist on the phone, add photos and a signature, and see queued or synced state on the inspection. See the guide to record an inspection in the field.
How to report a barrier and what happens next
A barrier is anything that stops you finishing a task, such as a field with no label, a button you cannot reach by keyboard, or a screen that does not work on a phone.
Note the screen and the step
Write down the page address, the heading on the screen, and the step where you were stopped. Keep the record number if you have one.
Describe what you tried
State what you expected, what happened instead, and whether you used a keyboard, a screen reader or a phone. One clear example helps staff repeat the problem.
Send the report to the town contact
Use the contact on the town portal or the contact form. Include your name and a way to reply, unless you report anonymously where the form allows it.
Track the fix
Staff log the report, check it on the same screen, fix it in order of how much work it blocks, and reply with what changed. If the fix needs a release, staff tell you when it will be available.
If you cannot finish today
Ask town staff for help by phone or at the counter and give them the screen name and step from your notes. Staff can enter the same task at the counter on the same record.
If a payment fails
Do not pay twice. Check the invoice number, then follow the guide to pay a fee for counter payment, and keep the receipt number staff give you.
Plain language on forms and notices
Forms and notices use short sentences and name the exact action. Staff check each form and letter before publishing it.
Name the action
Use words the person already knows, such as Upload plans, Pay a fee and Request an inspection. Keep the same words on the tile, the guide title and the button.
State the next step
Every notice states the record number, what changed and the exact action the recipient must take, with a due date where one exists.
Check before you publish
Preview the form or letter on a test record, read it aloud, and confirm that a reader can finish it without staff help.
Try the portal tasks with the guides
Start with creating an account, applying, uploading plans, paying and requesting an inspection.