Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 08:40:07 -0400 From: Prof Norm Coombs Subject: EASI Internet Broadcast on Web Design August 6 Lieve, interactive webcast on barrier-free universal access to the world wide web. Utilizing pictures, text and audio, this presentation will describe how to design web pages to meet the learning and working styles of diverse web users. Wednesday August 6 between 9-10 am central daylight time broadcast from the 13th annual distance learning conference in Madison Wisconsin. Presenters Norman Coombs, Ph.D and Richard Banks from EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information). The webcast will use Cheetah Broadcasting technology. Remote attendees must have an Internet connection and a java enabled browser (Netscape 3.01 or Microsoft IE 3.0 or above). Users will hear the presentation, see a real time transcription and view the exhibits as they are shown in the conference center. Users will also be able to participate in the event by submitting questions and responding to interactive surveys. Modern information technology has amazing potential to link people from remote distances and to be displayed in ways to meet the diverse learning and working skills of all people. Text display, graphic presentation and auditory presentation together provide multiple communication channels. People learn best when presented provided with multiple sensory information sources. This also means that people with communication disabilities, deaf, blind and others are included automatically in the audience. This webcast has two main functions. First it will demonstrate distance learning techniques that provide universal access. Second, the workshop will describe how to design web pages that will also provide barrier-free universal access to web information. This is in line with the Clinton/Gore initiatives to bring universal access to the world wide web by the 21st century. Tunie in on this webcast on August 6 between 9-10 am central daylight time. To learn more about cheetah technology and to find the web site for this webcast, go to http://www.rit.edu/~easi/webcast.html For anyone unable to make the webcast, EASI has online email/web workshops on designing universally accessible web pages at http://www.rit.edu/~easi/workshops.html EASI recognizes that Cheetah and other cutting edge technologies, for the immediate present, may prevent some internet users with older equipment from participating in such events. We believe one of our roles is to explore the opportunities provided by new technologies to make universal access a reality in tomorrow's world.