The best way to find out if a website meets the needs of the audience is to ask them. We have developed an accessible "smilometer" to help users communicate their preferences.

Macromedia's Bob Regan explains how Flash can be a really useful tool for making content for this audience.

On the right are some examples of websites that use different techniques to try and meet audience needs.

Good content needs to be accessible. There are accessibility standards set by the World Accessibility Initiative, standards that should be followed because many of this audience have visual and hearing impairments too. Content should also be accessible so that an individual with a learning disability can use it. Writing simple text and re-enforcing it with symbols and photographs helps a lot. Using sound, video and animations can help even more, especially if the user has a fast Internet connection.

In depth information about making accessible websites can be found at:

• Skills for Access
  Skills for Access is a website by the Learning Development and Media Unit (LMDU) at the University of Sheffield and the Digital Media Access Group (DMAG) at the University of Dundee. The site has lots of useful information and an extensive "how to" section.
• Web Usability
  Web Usability is an Australian website by a commercial web training company. It has papers on accessibility written by Roger Hudson, an accessibility consultant.
• Web Accessibility Initiative
  The World Wide Web Consortium's Web Accessibility Initiative website has the latest guidelines (working draft 2.0, 27 April 2006), tutorials, checklists and tips for making accessible websites.
• RNIB Web Access Centre
  The RNIB's Web Access Centre website provides lots of information about accessibility, not just for blind people. The site has guidelines, checklists, case studies of organisations and a directory of accessible websites. However, none of the "accessible"websites appear accessible for people with a learning disability!)
• Macromedia Accessibility Resource Centre
  Information and tutorials for making accessible web sites using Flash
• Microsoft Accessibility Site
  Explanation of how assistive devices work and how to use and adjust the accessibility utilities in Windows XP.
• Mencap - Accessibility Guidelines
  a pdf of guidelines produced by Mencap entitled "Making your website accessible for people with a learning disability"