Issue 2
In the last article, I tried to convince you that if you were in the information business you should be on the Internet. You, of course, read it, believed it, and rushed out to get yourself plugged in. Now you're connected and want to know what's on and how to find it. In this issue, I've listed some initial sites to get you started.
Let's start with the important stuff. Do you want to influence the government? What if it was easy? What if you had direct access to government ministers and you could comment on the latest legislation? Then try UK Citizens Online Democracy at http//www.democracy.org.uk
Dr. David Clark, the Minister of Public Service awaits your opinions on all sorts, including the proposals for the Freedom of Information Act (Citizens of the UK, it's your duty to participate).
Would The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 full text version be useful? Get it at http//www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts 1995/1995050.htm
Or get a summary from Centre for Independent Living in Glasgow or Disability Net at http//cil.cgal.ac.uk/indserv/Legislation.html and http//www.disabilitynet.co.uk.info.legislation/ddaguide/index.html
There's a host of other central and local government web sites at http//www.connections.gcal.ac.uk.info/Government.html
In addition there are currently 269 local authority sites which can be found at TAGISH UK Local Government at http//www.tagish.co.uk/local/
For information on more general disability issues, aids and equipment check the following sites The UK Disability Equipment Register at http//dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/ square/ae208/
The Disability Living Foundation at http//www.atlas.co.uk/dfl/
Disability Scotland's Information Server at Dis_Scot.gcal.ac.uk/
And it's not just websites you can access on the Internet, there are Newsgroups and Mailing Lists that are also helpful.
I particularly like the newsgroup uk.people.disability, and more info can be found on their website at http//www.netcomuk.co.uk/~rtusler/updhome.html
There's loads of disability related mailing lists - and more information can be found at http//www.webcom.com/impulse/list.html
For links to a whole host of local and national disability information, news, chat rooms, publishing etc, check in at Cafe Connect on the Connections Disability Web site at http//www.connections.gcal.ac.uk/
I'm probably ignoring all the stuff you are really interested in - travel, sports, what's on at the cinema, the weather, how your stocks and shares are doing etc. But now that you are connected, you'll be able to find it all for yourself.
If you have any suggestions about what kind of IT issues you would like Jim to cover in the future - please let us know and we'll pass on any ideas.
A former Computer Programmer, Disability Information Worker and Trainer/Lecturer, Jim is now the Project Development Officer at Making Connections' Project using the Internet to make information accessible to disabled people.
Contact Jim at
Making Connections Project
Glasgow Caledonian University
70 Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow, G4 0BA
tel 0141 331 3893
email:
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