blog.

A highly accessible website using the industry recognised Change Image Bank. Features include: high contrast option; screen reading software; text only; text resize and simple, clear and user friendly navigation and design. The whole site is tailored towards users with disabilities, as well as being attractive to other users or professionals that may find the content useful.

"Creating an ‘easy read’ website for our clients with learning disabilities and reading issues was a new venture for us. We knew the technology could do the job but needed the expertise of Focus New Media to make it happen. They sourced the images for the site and researched the range of text to speech software available. The site was built quickly and efficiently with full consultation at every step.

 

We are delighted with the result and are confident that users will find it an invaluable and easily accessible source of information and support."

 

Nicky Summerhill – Communications and Planning Manager (Connexions West of England).

Options @ 16 & 17 offers advice on what choices are available after year 11 for qualifications, training and work and the new Work Matters site provides an overview of 14 key industries that school leavers may be interested in pursuing a career in.

Both sites include features such as an interactive quiz, polls and digital note pads where they can log information as they browse the site and then print them out at the end.

We'll also be launching a highly accessible micro site called Easy Read for Connexions at the end of September which will provide the organisations information and advice in a format that is accessible to those with disabilities.
 

Connexions West has been providing teenagers all over the region with sound advice and support for almost two decades.  Their website has been at the heart of this provision since 2001, and is currently used by hundreds of young people and adults every day. 

With this in mind, we have consulted current Connexions users throughout the design process to get their feedback and views.  Two of the ideas that came out of this exercise were:

- the inclusion of social networking bookmarks that allow users to post links from Connexions to their favoured social network, eg: Bebo, Facebook, Myspace.

- the provision of an enhanced online job application section that will allow young people to send their CV direct to employers.


Refreshing the underlying code and adding some additional technical features will ensure that the site meets UK Government guidelines on web site accessibility.  This is important for disabled users of the internet but will also help search engines find and favourably rank Connexions in its results pages.

As well as this project, we are also working with Connexions on a new version of i-Point, a website aimed at supporting adults and promoting education.  Both websites are set to go live later this summer, in time to support students in the new academic year.

Our latest web project has been a true collaboration between young people and the Focus New Media team.  Go Places Do Things is an exciting new site designed specifically by and for young people in Bristol.

Teenagers from the GPDT steering group have provided invaluable input throughout the project, from deciding upon the site's 'look and feel', to suggestions on content and even provided eagle-eyed help during the bug testing phase.

On the site young people can find out about sports, arts, volunteering, music events, festivals, youth clubs, cultural and leisure events and places that can offer support.

Go Places Do Things has been developed as part of the Integrated Youth Support and Development Service (IYSDS) those who have contributed include Children and Young Peoples Services, Youth and Play Services and Connexions West of England.

Organisations can register now to add their own events to the calendar, while anyone else is welcome to sign up and leave their comments about the site.

We're proud to announce the re-launch of Connexions West of England's website – complete with an entirely new look and feel, updated content and additional functionality.

The Professionals area has been developed in response to an increased focus on providing young people with good quality, comprehensive and impartial information. This section gives people the advice and guidance necessary when making tough choices and decisions in an increasingly competitive working environment.

Young people can search for vacancies in a much easier and smarter way and will be able to compare vacancies like-for-like, while seeing how far an organization is from their home.

Parents & Carers aren't left out, with an area developed specifically to help them provide the latest information regarding education, training and work opportunities for children in their care.

The content has undergone a thorough revision, while the design aims to appeal to a wider range of visitors. Staff at Connexions will also take full control over future site content by using our intuitive content management system, Carbon.

Lisa and Jim have been working closely with youngsters at DAFBY, ensuring that all views were taken into consideration during this web site build. 

DAFBY (Democratic Action For Bath & North Somerset Youth) is supported by Bath and North East Somerset Council and open to young people in the area aged 13 to 19. DAFBY aims to enable young people to develop skills, confidence, knowledge and awareness so that they can challenge injustice and take part in decision making.

DAFBY members are young people from across the region and have real responsibilities within B& NES council, the Connexions service and the UK youth parliament. The young people decide which issues they want to focus on, including everything from education, transport and reducing youth crime, to equality and democracy.

Visit DAFBY web site here.