The Challenge
As part of the Scottish Executive’s Modernising Government initiative, the Glasgow Learning Disability Partnership and Glasgow City Council wished to take advantage of digital communication channels to deliver important information and services to their audience. The challenge for the partnership was to make services more accessible and user-focused, more flexible and localised to people with a wide variety of learning disabilities, their families and carers. The tone, style and presentation of information would therefore need to suit a very diverse, cross-section of society.

The project was approached from the ground up. Developing a site to appeal to people in general terms is a challenge as we are all individuals but we can often be divided by certain criteria (age, gender, background and so on) before considering cognitive and physical conditions such as blindness, deafness, Aspegers, Autism and Down Syndrome.

The Solution
The solution was the introduction of I:XSEED, a web site to widen the use of electronic communication channels for people with learning disabilities. The site is very innovative in it’s interpretation of the W3C guidelines for people.

The solution provides users with great flexibility through customisable templates and features. Users can select appropriate navigation styles, audio features, text size and content. The site also encourages a wider sense of community between day centres and families by offering a safe message board and discussion area where users can ask for advice or chat with friends. The site provides users with customisable access to a diverse range of information on council and NHS Greater Glasgow services, resources, entertainment and news.

Results
Councillor Ruth Simpson of Glasgow City Council said:
“The I:XSEED project goes to the heart of modernising local government as it makes sensible use of the technology available today in a way that will directly benefit people in Glasgow."

The site has proved to be very successful with the entire target audience. It is a useful resource, a learning tool and also a safe haven for children.