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Last week I posted an article “Why always in USA – can Europe share pls?” – see it here and I must thank those people who have posted comments and also responded via e-mail

It appears that there are two some differing points of view – all agree that we need to do more about accessibility but not sure how to do it.

To a number of people I have suggested an accessible seach engine/directory!   One that only lists accessible sites, perhaps even with an accessibility rating system created/administered by the people who actually used the engine.Yes I know there are too many engines/directories out there, but I have yet to find a proper acccesible directory/search engine that only lists accessible sites. – if one exists then it is very badly marketed.

If such a site was created (and people could be driven to it) it should produce results etc. for those people with accessible sites, this could then produce a catalyst for other people to become accessible.  Think about how quickly Google became the main engine (No I don’t think that my idea is going to challenge the Googles of the world, though nice thought), but it may provide a way to promote accessibility issues on the internet.
I already have the site and database designed (but not live, just on my testing server) and if I can gather a groundswell of support I really think that such a site – if live – would both work and be a great benefit to the internet.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Also just found this course at the UK Open University: http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1779

Why is the way something looks important? Text, colour, images, moving images and sound all interact to produce a user friendly environment within a user interface. This unit will help you understand the effect each software component has on the user and explain how a consistent and thoughtful application of these components can have a significant impact on the ‘look’ of final product.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Just found this list of free Open University courses http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2057.
Technology is opening doors for those with disabilities. Being blind or deaf is now far less of a barrier than it was fifty years ago. This unit assesses various disabilities and describes how they might affect a person’s use of interactive devices. You will then look at some of the most common assistive technologies and discuss the requirements that each disability group might have for computers, and for other interactive products.

Popularity: 1% [?]

One thing that has always concerned me is the way that most web developers I know in the UK are just not interested in Accessibility and the support, information and encouragement is not available.

There appear to be GREAT conferences and expos in the USA with some really notable speakers.  Some of the competitions like those for the  Knowbility ‘Accessibility Internet Rallies’  sound fantastic, but what support would they get in the UK or Europe?

It really appears (with a few exceptions) that the US is leading the way in promoting accessibility.  It is about time that everybody promoted accessibility!

There is so much that needs to be done (yes including changing this blog to a more accessible version – I am guilty too) but is it possible to start a real campaign targeting the UK and Europe?

Popularity: 2% [?]

OK thnx Chris Evans (BBC Radio2) for name, but on Twitter we have followfriday – suggest follow:

What if you didn’t know who to follow on Twitter (Twitter reviews)? Would you randomly start following people? Would you follow people you see mentioned by those you already follow? Most likely you would ask your friends for recommendations since you can trust that your friends will suggest people who are worth following. Which is exactly how FollowFriday began.

Now how about having ThirstyThursday where we actually talk to our followers and discover how you can help them

This is what Twitter is all about . networking – let me know

Popularity: unranked [?]

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