Vickie+Thomas

//**Ok, Vickie - might want to consolidate text. Did you want to make a link to WebXact? Wasn't clear. Also, software link? Final project? kz**//

Software Evaluation: [|www.IP-Relay.com]

Allows deaf and hard of hearing peoples the abilitiy to make phone calls over the internet. Very user friendly, free to all, and all phone calls are completley confidential.

National Autism Association Web Site Vickie Thomas, Peter Kelly, Lori Smith

National Autism Association Web Site mission according to their Mission Statement is to educate, empower an to advocate for families and individuals who have been effected by Autism. They educate others by offering several hypothesis as to why and how an individual might be effected with Autism. They provide links to experts that say it is all because of mercury based vaccines. Other causes that are offered at the site are genetics but at this time, no gene has been identified. Other medical issues related to Autism are available at the site. The site seems a little bias in what their thought about the cause of Autism. The site offers several links to families that offer support. They have message boards, These boards offer information on how and why Autism occurs. I worry who is offering the answers. They also offer assistance to military families who because of a spouse in the service might need additional assistance. There is a Family First link that offers 24/7 counseling for families. They offer this by phone due to the fact that most families with a child who has Autism, don’t have the luxury of being able to get to a office. The other thing that is available is Helping Hands which is a finical assistance program for families in need National Autism Association Web Site also has political ties that provide a voice in the governmental arena. Some of the hot topics are mercury based vaccines and genetic testing. The site seemed slanted to the notion that Autism is curable, or at least treatable and I am not sure that false hope is a good platform with which to stand on. This site does not offer any technical support like changing the screen color, font or type. It has several types of fonts and the type is blocked off. It was rated a 1 on the webtex site.
 * Website Evaluation Form**

Name: Peter Kelly and Vickie Thomas

....... What type of domain is this? [|www.nationalautismassociation.org] (nonprofit). ....... Is it someone’s personal page? No ....... Who published the page? (in the first portion of URL/address, between the // and the first / - like a print publisher, but can be without the rigor) ....... Who authored the page? Wendy Fournier ....... Author(s) of the page are clearly identified, and have credentials that insure they are qualified to speak to this topic. Yes ....... The page gives an E-mail address or other way to contact authors. Yes
 * Reading URLs**

....... All information is accurate; reputable links given, etc. Yes ....... Last update listed? Current? Updates not available or given. ....... Links work? Yes. All links work. ....... Information is complete but not excessive or redundant. Yes. ....... Information is well organized and clearly labeled. Yes ....... Information is interesting, informative, and worthwhile. Yes ....... Information is not redundant to many other sources; there is a good reason to put it on the Web. Yes. ....... Level of content and vocabulary are appropriate for intended audiences. Yes. Information that may be confusing is defined. ....... Content is free from stereotyping, course or gross language, or information that could be offensive to typical users. yes ....... Awards or other testimonials from reputable sources evident. Yes ....... Universal design features are built into the site so that the site is accessible by users with visual impairments, physical disabilities, etc. No. Passes the first level of accessibility, but does not pass two or three.
 * Content**

....... The site has a consistent look. yes ....... Graphics, animations, videos, and sounds make an important contribution; each serves a purpose. Yes ....... Pages have only one or two fonts. No ...... Each page uses a limited number of colors, especially for text. Yes ....... Colors have been selected to be compatible with the Netscape 216 Color palate. Yes ....... The colors/styles and text-to-background contrast have been selected for good readability. Yes ....... Each page is limited to 2-3 screens; the most important information at the top. Yes ...... The pages are simply and attractively designed; they make a user want to read the information. Yes. ....... The page has been submitted to Bobby and universal design features such as “text only”/’printer friendly’ version of the page(s) are available. No.
 * Visual and Audio Design**

....... Pages load quickly. Yes ....... Pages have a simple, consistent navigation scheme to let users get to desired places quickly and easily. Yes. ....... The first page indicates clearly how the site is organized and how to get to items of interest. Yes ....... Links (text and icons) are easy to identify. Graphics and sounds are clearly identified. Yes. ....... Icons clearly represent the information they link to. Yes. ....... Each supporting page has a link back to the home page. Yes. ....... Site is directly relevant to your own and colleagues’ professional interests. Yes ....... Targeted audience is identified or otherwise clearly evident. Yes. ....... On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being poor and 10 being the best, what number would you assign to this site? 8
 * Navigation**
 * Overall Relevance**
 * Evaluator Rating**