About This Project.

The CamSight Accessible Web Project was formally started in 2004, and launched 2 years later in January 2006. It is a portal to information and resources for the visually impaired. Stage One covers information about CamSight, and resources local to Cambridgeshire. This project is unique in that it reviews every listed website for accessibility, with the aim of raising awareness of the very real obstacles to browsing with assistive technologies. It is also one of the first projects that specifically aims to satisfy all user groups equally, through a single simple design, using a linear layout, stylesheets and hidden audio cues to support low vision and blind users.

Whats Next?

Stage Two, which is nearing completion, will be launched mid-2006, and will expand the CamSight Accessible Web Project to users regardless of location. It will significantly increase the scope of this project, and include the following new sections:

• national and global resources for the visually impaired
• a full listing of assistive technologies and equipment
• background information on major eye conditions
• accessibility and building usable websites
• tutorials for developing your web skills
• a place to share your personal experiences.
• a usable search function and site map.

I first decided to build this project towards the end of 2003, when my father had to adapt to visual impairment. It was the result of finding that many of the so-called accessible web-sites, were largely unusable for visually impaired users who were either unfamiliar with the web, or still coming to grips with their assistive technologies.

CamSight were invaluable in their help and support, and I'm really pleased that this project is affiliated to them. I hope that it helps raise the funding they need to keep providing their services for free. If you've found this web-site useful, I hope that you will consider donating anything you can to support their efforts.

This project has taken nearly two years of part-time research, design, and accessibility testing. The site is mostly hand-coded and everything from the accessible design to the technical development was new to me, which unfortunately meant that mole-hills regularly turned into mountains, and took considerably longer than expected! It was, and still is, inspired by my father Mujtaba, and sister Shaista, for the amazingly patient and positive way they have adapted to and overcome their physical limitations.

I hope this web-site helps you find the resources you need, and that it makes using the web easier for you. I also hope that it makes more organisations take note of the lack of accessibility in their web-sites, and realise that it actually takes very little extra cost and effort to make them usable.

Please feel free to contact me through the accessible form on this website if you have questions or issues, or any suggestions for improvement.