Aim:To design a web site that it is accessible for users with varying degrees of visual disability. It is the aim of the project to show how a site can be designed to use adaptive technologies in an engaging way.

To explore the possibilities of using Flash and Shockwave for audio narration. Multimedia is often correctly criticised for producing sites that are inaccessible to users with disabilities. The problem, I hope to demonstrate, is not a matter of the multimedia technology itself but its application. Thoughtful use of Multimedia tools such as Flash may even aid accessibility.

There are two sections to the I'm talking project. The demostration web sites, Word Up and a tutorial and online essay section.

Word Up: The project will consists of three separate web sites. All the sites will feature the same content but each will present the information in different ways. Based on my own writing it is hoped that users of the site will find the content engaging and humorous. go to Word Up sites.

Tutorial site: The essay section examines the history of the World Wide Web, design practices and the implications for users with disabilities. The tutorial section covers some of the aspects of how to produce an accessible site. go to tutorial site

More information: I wish to acknowledge the assistance of people who helped realise the project. The original creative concept and research plan can be viewed online. In the research diary many technical issues in building the Word Up web site are discussed at length. Finally a conclusion has been added to critically assess the project.

Daryl Allan Croke : darylallan@netspace.net.au
Electronic Design and Interactive Media
Victoria University 2002.