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CLF for the Internet - Navigation and Format![,](/web/20061026235355im_/http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/cioscripts/images/line450x1.gif)
All GoC Web pages must
include the common menu bar, placed at the top of every Web page, to
facilitate navigation through and between GoC sites. The GoC menu options must appear in this order
and include: Language (English / French) for bilingual sites only, Contact Us, Help,
Search and Canada Site.
Version Histories
Rationale
Consistent use of a common menu facilitates navigation on GoC sites and consistently consolidates key common
functions across all GoC Web sites.
To facilitate navigation within individual GoC sites and between multiple GoC
sites, a Common Menu has been developed to provide
specific service enhancements. Prominently placed at the top of every GoC Web page, the buttons
on the Common Menu provide direct links to crucial navigation features. The Common Menu buttons
are placed such that the most critical buttons hold the most prominent positions. For example,
the language choice and 'Canada Site' buttons should be placed at the left and right extremes
(respectively) of the bar itself. The Common
Menu bar for unilingual sites is slightly different.
The width of Government of Canada Web pages must be no less than 600 pixels. The width dimensions for page components will be as follows:
- Header: Fixed, 600 pixels
- Footer: Fixed, 600 pixels
- First Column (left navigation): Fixed, 132 pixels
- Second column (vertical white space): Fixed, 18 pixels
- Third column (content area): Minimum column width of 450 pixels.
In exceptional cases where specific content (e.g. maps, large
tables, charts, graphs, etc.) cannot adapt by way of wrapping or linearization to the standard 450 pixel width the
content can extend to the right beyond the 450-pixel boundary.
When content does extend beyond the 450-pixel boundary a version suitable for printing on standard 8-1/2" x 11" (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) paper must be provided.
The buttons in the common menu bar must have a black background with white text that is left
justified and at least a 9 pixel font size. The dimensions of the buttons are 14 pixels high and 89
pixels wide with a 1 pixel space between the buttons. The common menu bar must appear on all html pages
along with the other mandatory elements. See
specifications.
Français
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Links to the page content in the other official
language: Change language scripts |
Contact Us
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Provides a means for users to send electronic mail
or to find the information necessary to utilize other means of communication
(telephone and facsimile numbers, street and post office box addresses, etc.)
with the organization or delegated officials
Best Practice: Contact Us |
Help
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Links to page containing a site map and other
assistive information such as frequently asked questions or other user
information
Best Practice:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/help_e.html |
Search
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Links to search and retrieval systems
that enable users to obtain information on a particular subject in any GoC
Web site: How to make your
Search page accessible
Best Practice:
http://www.seniors.gc.ca/searchadvanced.jsp?&font=0&userLanguage=en |
Canada Site
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Provides a direct link to the Government of Canada Web site |
Web site vs Web document
CLF Standards are mandatory on all
HTML navigation pages of GoC Web
sites. In the case of downloadable versions of documents on your Web sites that are
in non-HTML formats such as .doc, .rtf, .pdf, .txt, .wpd, the implementation of the
menu bars is not required. However, the CLF Standards for Federal Identity, Official
Languages, Important Notices, Collaborative Arrangements and Accessibility are
required.
Common Menu Bar
The following are best practices to help institutions standardize the kinds of
information that should be available behind each of the buttons on the Common Menu
Bar.
English / Français Language button
Bilingual Web sites: This button provides a direct link to the page content
in the other official language. Change language scripts
Unilingual Web sites: This button should read "Disclaimer" and
take the user to the Unilingual Welcome page where a link to bilingual information on
the department / agency is available. The Federal Identity Program Toolbox provides
the specifications and guidance on building
a unilingual Web site.
Multiple language Web sites: CLF Technical Working Group will provide
guidance in the form of best practices on how to implement navigation of GoC content
available in more than the two official languages.
- GoC sites should provide relevant contact information, including information that
could accommodate those with disabilities or special needs. The contact information
provided should be in the context of where a user is on the Web site. An example of contact
information can be found at the Canada site Contact Us page - http://canada.gc.ca/comments/form_e.html.
- Institutions should establish service standards or refer to existing
institutional service standards. Service standards should be provided to the user
up front so that they understand the process and know what to expect, i.e.
response time for service delivery.
- Ensure proper implementation of Common Look and Feel
Standard 4.4 - acknowledgements.
- Ensure proper implementation of Common Look and Feel
Standard 5.4 - personal information.
"Help" page
- Provide a link to the site map or an alphabetical list of products that are
available on your site.
- Provide an overview of any Accessibility features that are available on your
site. e.g. Access Keys, personalization.
- Describe what formats are available throughout your site. Please see the Help page on this Web site
for more information and examples.
- Provide a link to technical help for problems with the Web site or for users
who are having problems accessing information on the Web site, i.e. link to
webmaster's e-mail.
- Provide a link to the "Contact Us" page on the Web site.
- Provide site specific help information as well links to the institution's more
general help.
"Search" page
- This button should link to search and retrieval systems that enable users to obtain
information on a particular subject in any GoC Web site How to create an accessible Search page.
- Provide detailed help on how to search the information on your site with
examples of how to conduct a simple and advanced search Information on how to
search in other languages, and how to use other characters is encouraged when
appropriate. Termium features, services and software could also be included.
- Provide links to the other levels of searching within your institution e.g.
Department or Agency.
- Provide a link to the Canada Site AltaVista search page.
To ensure information on your site is found by users proper implementation of Common Look and Feel Standard 6.3 on metadata must be
applied to html resources.
Canada Site button
- Provide a direct link to the Government of Canada Web site. When your site is a
GoC intranet provide a link to the GoC Publiservice Web site.
- When linking from an English content page to the Canada Site / Publiservice
Site always link to the index page of the site and never to the Splash page where
the user is then forced to make their language selection again.
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