Drafts by Laura O’Grady
This article examines an application of Volunteer Geographic Information (VGI) with the aid of mo... more This article examines an application of Volunteer Geographic Information (VGI) with the aid of mobile or cell phones that was implemented for mapping the spread of the Ebola virus utilizing OpenStreetMap (OSM) as a collaborative platform. VGI is a technique that engages a local community to assist in data collection during the early stages of crisis such as an outbreak of a highly contagious deadly virus. This allows for immediate, real-time mapping of affected areas providing the opportunity for early intervention, which can avoid further spread of the contaminant. In addition, it supports optimal resource allocation, which can be limited when dealing with such crises, such as when the outbreak first occurs as the extent of the outcome is yet to be determined. Also discussed are various issues with this technique including the reliability and validity of the data collected, limitations experienced when working in rural areas, and barriers related to the literacy and technical competence amongst volunteers. Despite these limitations there is great potential role when implementing VGI, mobile phones and mapping in terms of vastly improving the situational awareness during these outbreaks, and in turn, coordinating interventions by health providers. Recent applications of this technique during the COVID19 outbreak are provided. The integration of VGI, mobile GIS via cell phones, and open-source platforms such as OpenStreetMap provides an extremely low barrier, cost-effective, and solution for community-engaged public mapping in a health crisis.
With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT there has been a shift in t... more With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly ChatGPT there has been a shift in the movement from the self directed "ePatient" Internet-based information seeking, particularly common in the HIV/AIDS movement during the 1990s. Background information on issues related to the concerns over the credibility of Internet-based heath content from this era and the skepticism from healthcare professionals toward non-traditional sources of medical care are presented. With AI tools like ChatGPT now implemented by "AIPatients" to aid understanding and a new level of ease about informed discussions with healthcare providers has emerged. A case study in which "AIPatient" Patrick Blumenthal shows how he utilized ChatGPT to diagnose his own rare illness is presented. This case study showed how Blumenthal's use of ChatGPT led him to uncover missed components of his disease and aided his treatment decisions. Also provided are guidelines on using AI effectively and potential limitations. AI tools such as ChatGPT have immense potential, much in the way the ePatient movement previously brought forward a whole new way of patient-provider relationships.
This article provides historical context on the time-honoured tradition of academic research arti... more This article provides historical context on the time-honoured tradition of academic research articles commencing at the undergraduate level through to faculty by outlining the three generational shifts: first by hand, second with the aid of computers and the third with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI tools such as ChatGPT are now being used by students to write papers for course work instead of conducting the assignment on their own. Outlined are ways in which academics and educators can work with AI by integrated it into the teaching process using it as an instructional tool, applications in academic publishing and how it can aid the peerreview process.
Publications by Laura O’Grady
Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2012
A primary purpose of research is to generate new knowledge. Scientific advances have progressivel... more A primary purpose of research is to generate new knowledge. Scientific advances have progressively identified optimal ways to achieve this purpose. Included in this evolution are the notions of evidence-based medicine, decision aids, shared decision making, measurement and evaluation as well as implementation. The importance of including qualitative and quantitative methods in our research is now understood. We have debated the meaning of evidence and how to implement it. However, we have yet to consider how to include in our study findings other types of information such as tacit and experiential knowledge. This key consideration needs to take place before we translate new findings or 'knowledge' into clinical practice. This article critiques assumptions regarding the nature of knowledge and suggests a framework for implementing research findings into practice.
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2011
Background: Web sites with health-oriented content are potentially harmful if inaccurate or inapp... more Background: Web sites with health-oriented content are potentially harmful if inaccurate or inappropriate medical information is used to make health-related decisions. Checklists, rating systems and guidelines have been developed to help people determine what is credible, but recent Internet technologies emphasize applications that are collaborative in nature,
including tags and tag clouds, where site users ‘tag’ or label online content, each using their own labelling system. Concepts such as the date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations are considered predictors of credible content. An understanding of these descriptive tools, how they relate to the depiction of credibility and how this relates to overall efforts to label data in relation to the semantic web has yet to emerge.
Purpose: This study investigates how structured (pre-determined) and unstructured (user-generated) tags and tag clouds with a multiple word search feature are used by participants to assess credibility of messages posted in online message forums. The targeted respondents were those using web sites message forums for disease self-management. We also explored the relevancy of our findings to the labelling or indexing of data in the context of the semantic web.
Method: Diabetes was chosen as the content area in this study, since (a) this is a condition with increasing prevalence and (b) diabetics have been shown to actively use the Internet to manage their condition. From January to March 2010 participants were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. A screening instrument was used to determine eligibility. The study consisted of a demographic and computer usage survey, a series of usability tests
and an interview. We tested participants (N = 22) on two scenarios, each involving tasks that assessed their ability to tag content and search using a tag cloud that included six structured credibility terms (statistics, date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations). MORAE Usability software (version 3.1) was employed to record participants’ use of the study environment. The surveys were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Interviews with participants were transcribed, coded and analyzed using thematic text analysis with the aid of NVivo8.
Findings: Most participants had experience with Internet resources. However, less than one quarter of this sample had seen or used tags or a tag clouds. The ways in which participants used tags to label the content posted in the message forums varied. Some participants were tagging the information for their own subsequent use, whereas others viewed this process from the perspective of others: they tagged the content in ways that they thought other users would find beneficial. Many participants did not use the structured credibility tags when asked to search for credible content. The interviews corroborated these findings by confirming participants were not considering credibility foremost when tagging.
Conclusion: Many participants in this study focused on assessing whether the information was relevant to their current circumstances, after which they would proceed to determine its credibility by corroborating with other sources. The use of structured tags to label information may not be a useful way to encourage the use of tagging, or to indicate credibility in this context. Current applications used in the semantic web automate this process. There-
fore it may be useful to engage consumers of online content, in particular health-related content, to be more directly involved in the annotation of this content.
Journal of Participatory Medicine, 2010
Despite its theoretical appeal, the concept of shared decision making in the clinical encounter h... more Despite its theoretical appeal, the concept of shared decision making in the clinical encounter has yet to translate into practice. In this article we revisit this approach and suggest an alternative we have labeled "collaborative decision making," which may lead to more equitable and more favorable outcomes. We define collaborative decision making as a process of engagement in which health professionals and patients (and their loved ones) work together, often using information and communication technologies to understand clinical issues and determine the best course of action. Moving beyond the two-way knowledge exchange proposed in the shared decision making model, we outline a scenario in which the exchange of information leads to the development of a stronger partnership between the patients and the health professionals. We suggest that an organization readiness for change framework be used to explore how information and communication technology can facilitate effective patient partnerships as health care becomes increasingly complex and challenging.
Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2010
The internet has been used to support and inform the lay person about health and health- care ser... more The internet has been used to support and inform the lay person about health and health- care services almost since its inception. One of the most popular elements of this is the exchange of information using electronic communications such as message boards or mailing lists. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for practitioners engaged in asynchronous
moderating or facilitating online health communities. The paper outlines why facilitation of online support groups is important, and strategies to support these communities by promoting and maintaining participation, while outlining key characteristics of an effective facilitator. It also highlights some of the challenges involved in facilitating online environments, with empha-
sis on gender-related issues and ‘groupthink’.
Methods to evaluate these processes are also discussed. Electronic communication to support treatment decisions by patients is likely to con-
tinue to grow. As a result, so will the issues related to large groups working together.Ways to mediate and ensure equal and effective participation are an important option to support these endeavours
JMIR, 2009
Background: Website evaluation is a key issue for researchers, organizations, and others responsi... more Background: Website evaluation is a key issue for researchers, organizations, and others responsible for designing, maintaining, endorsing, approving, and/or assessing the use and impact of interventions designed to influence health and health services. Traditionally, these evaluations have included elements such as content credibility, interface usability, and overall design aesthetics. With the emergence of collaborative, adaptive, and interactive ("Web 2.0") technologies such as wikis and other forms of social networking applications, these metrics may no longer be sufficient to adequately assess the quality, use or impact of a health website. Collaborative, adaptive, interactive applications support different ways for people to interact with health information on the Web, including the potential for increased user participation in the design, creation, and maintenance of such sites.
Objective: We propose a framework that addresses how to evaluate collaborative, adaptive, and interactive applications.
Methods: In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive review of a variety of databases using terminology related to this area. Results: We present a review of evaluation frameworks and also propose a framework that incorporates collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies, grounded in evaluation theory.
Conclusion: This framework can be applied by researchers who wish to compare Web-based interventions, non-profit organizations, and clinical groups who aim to provide health information and support about a particular health concern via the Web, and decisions about funding grants by agencies interested in the role of social networks and collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies technologies to improve health and the health system.
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2008
Background: First generation Internet technologies such as mailing lists or newsgroups afforded u... more Background: First generation Internet technologies such as mailing lists or newsgroups afforded unprecedented levels of information exchange within a variety of interest groups, including those who seek health information. With emergence of the World Wide Web many communication applications were ported to web browsers. One of the driving factors in this phenomenon has been the exchange of experiential or anecdotal knowledge that patients share online, and there is emerging evidence that participation in these forums may be having an impact on people's health decision making. Theoretical frameworks supporting this form of information seeking and learning have yet to be proposed.
Results: In this article, we propose an adaptation of Kolb's experiential learning theory to begin to formulate an experiential health information processing model that may contribute to our understanding of online health information seeking behaviour in this context.
Conclusion: An experiential health information processing model is proposed that can be used as a research framework. Future research directions include investigating the utility of this model in the online health information seeking context, studying the impact of collaborating in these online environments on patient decision making and on health outcomes are provided.
Health Information and Libraries Journal,, 2008
Background : Internet-based applications, in particular those that allow communication, have grea... more Background : Internet-based applications, in particular those that allow communication, have great potential to meet information needs. Limited research has indicated that people with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS; PHAs) use these technologies, but it has not yet been examined how resources are used collaboratively and in conjunction with offline sources. Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine in what ways PHAs collaborate to meet treatment information needs and what role Internet-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) played in meeting this goal.
Methods : This exploratory study was implemented using surveys and focus groups with 23 participants in Toronto, Canada. The purposive sample included men and women.
Results : A variety of both off-and online resources were used to learn about HIV/AIDS treatment information, including web-based and print. All participants were communicating with others, primarily in person, and most desired anecdotal treatment information. However, few reported using CMC to accomplish this goal. Harris and Dewdney's Principles of Information Seeking was used to frame the findings.
Conclusions : Despite technical proficiency with CMC, few participants in this study reported use of this communication tool. Information professionals need to ensure access to HIV health information including those in remote areas who have fewer resources.
International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2006
The purpose of the paper was to determine appropriate terminology, criteria, implementation, and ... more The purpose of the paper was to determine appropriate terminology, criteria, implementation, and develop a theoretical framework by which credibility in health care web sites can be depicted. Future research directions for evaluating credibility in health care web sites was also discussed. Method: A comprehensive literature review of published articles, policy papers, and grey literature using relevant search terms was conducted. Sources for articles reviewed included MEDLINE (from 1966 to present), PsycINFO (from 1840 to present), ERIC (from 1966 to present), and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) databases. The Web of Science citation service was continuously searched using a subscription service from 2002 to 2004. The search engine Google was also implemented. Results: A common term, credibility, was purposed for use in this context. A comprehensive set of credibility criteria, presented within a theoretical framework was also developed. Implementation by means of a browser-based graphic icon was purposed. Conclusions: Relevancy and readiness of the purposed common terminology, criteria, and implementation within the theoretical framework must be further researched. More knowledge of consumers' behaviour regarding use of online health content and collaboration with others when implementing such information should be considered in future research.
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2006
Background: Members of the HIV/AIDS community are known to use web-based tools to support learnin... more Background: Members of the HIV/AIDS community are known to use web-based tools to support learning about treatment issues. Initial research indicated components such as message forums or web-based documentation were effectively used by persons with HIV/AIDS. Video has also shown promise as a technology to aid consumer health education. However, no research has been published thus far investigating the impact of web-based environments combining these components in an educational workshop format. Methods: In this qualitative study HIV/AIDS community members provided feedback on an integrated web-based consumer health education environment. Participants were recruited through organizations that serve the HIV/AIDS community located in Toronto, Canada. Demographics, data on Internet use, including messages exchanged in the study environment were collected. A group interview provided feedback on usability of the study environment, preferences for information formats, use of the message forum, and other sources for learning about treatment information. Results: In this pilot study analysis of the posted messages did not demonstrate use for learning of the workshop content. Participants did not generally find the environment of value for learning about treatment information. However, participants did share how they were meeting these needs. It was indicated that a combination of resources are being used to find and discuss treatment information, including in-person sources.
Medical Informatics and the Internet in Medicine, 2005
Vast amounts of consumer-based health care information are widely available on the World Wide Web... more Vast amounts of consumer-based health care information are widely available on the World Wide Web. However, for some this material is inaccessible due to reliance on specialized computer equipment or software known as assistive technology. These tools, designed for people with sensory, physical, or learning disabilities, act as a median to interpret Web pages in accessible ways. Unfortunately, many websites, including those with health-related content are not designed to accommodate this equipment. No research has yet been published examining the extent of this problem in Canadian consumeroriented health care sites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the percentage of accessible consumer-based health care websites of Canadian origin. A listing of such sites was randomly sampled for study inclusion. Each was assessed for accessibility based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0 using the validation software Bobby TM. The results indicated that only about 40% of pages investigated were free of errors in accordance with WCAG 1.0 Priority 1 level. Websites should be constructed in compliance with these standards to better accommodate those using assistive devices.
Library Hi Tech, 2003
The Internet may seem accessible to those using standard
equipment such as a monitor, keyboard, a... more The Internet may seem accessible to those using standard
equipment such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but in
reality many who are using non-standard devices or
software to surf the Web will face difficulties accessing
information. These alternative methods require that Web
sites be designed to accommodate this need. Although many
are knowledgeable about the US legislation Section 508
dealing with this issue, less is known about what other
countries require. This paper provides an overview of the
accessibility standards outlined by the Canadian
Government for its Web sites. It also contains a review of
four software products designed to assess violations of these
standards. Each software tool is compared on a series of
practical and functional indicators. For small to medium
sites, A-Prompt and Bobby are recommended and for large
or multiple sites, InFocus and AccVerify are better choices.
Limitations of each software product are also noted.
ACM SIGCAPH Newsletter, 2003
Use of the World Wide Web (web) to distribute health care material has steadily increased in rece... more Use of the World Wide Web (web) to distribute health care material has steadily increased in recent years. However, potentially detrimental health issues can arise when either accurate information is used inappropriately or when inaccurate information is assumed to be correct and implemented. Causes for this problem include the ease with which anyone can present health care material on the web. A rating system in the form of a graphic seal denoting the source as credible is one way to help the average site user discern the relative quality of information presented at a web site. Preliminary research on the effectiveness of this method has been inconclusive. The research outlined in this document will investigate a rating scheme within the context of a web credibility theoretical framework. The goal is to move towards a means of depicting credibility that is more usable as health information on the web becomes increasingly accessed around the world.
Uploads
Drafts by Laura O’Grady
Publications by Laura O’Grady
including tags and tag clouds, where site users ‘tag’ or label online content, each using their own labelling system. Concepts such as the date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations are considered predictors of credible content. An understanding of these descriptive tools, how they relate to the depiction of credibility and how this relates to overall efforts to label data in relation to the semantic web has yet to emerge.
Purpose: This study investigates how structured (pre-determined) and unstructured (user-generated) tags and tag clouds with a multiple word search feature are used by participants to assess credibility of messages posted in online message forums. The targeted respondents were those using web sites message forums for disease self-management. We also explored the relevancy of our findings to the labelling or indexing of data in the context of the semantic web.
Method: Diabetes was chosen as the content area in this study, since (a) this is a condition with increasing prevalence and (b) diabetics have been shown to actively use the Internet to manage their condition. From January to March 2010 participants were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. A screening instrument was used to determine eligibility. The study consisted of a demographic and computer usage survey, a series of usability tests
and an interview. We tested participants (N = 22) on two scenarios, each involving tasks that assessed their ability to tag content and search using a tag cloud that included six structured credibility terms (statistics, date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations). MORAE Usability software (version 3.1) was employed to record participants’ use of the study environment. The surveys were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Interviews with participants were transcribed, coded and analyzed using thematic text analysis with the aid of NVivo8.
Findings: Most participants had experience with Internet resources. However, less than one quarter of this sample had seen or used tags or a tag clouds. The ways in which participants used tags to label the content posted in the message forums varied. Some participants were tagging the information for their own subsequent use, whereas others viewed this process from the perspective of others: they tagged the content in ways that they thought other users would find beneficial. Many participants did not use the structured credibility tags when asked to search for credible content. The interviews corroborated these findings by confirming participants were not considering credibility foremost when tagging.
Conclusion: Many participants in this study focused on assessing whether the information was relevant to their current circumstances, after which they would proceed to determine its credibility by corroborating with other sources. The use of structured tags to label information may not be a useful way to encourage the use of tagging, or to indicate credibility in this context. Current applications used in the semantic web automate this process. There-
fore it may be useful to engage consumers of online content, in particular health-related content, to be more directly involved in the annotation of this content.
moderating or facilitating online health communities. The paper outlines why facilitation of online support groups is important, and strategies to support these communities by promoting and maintaining participation, while outlining key characteristics of an effective facilitator. It also highlights some of the challenges involved in facilitating online environments, with empha-
sis on gender-related issues and ‘groupthink’.
Methods to evaluate these processes are also discussed. Electronic communication to support treatment decisions by patients is likely to con-
tinue to grow. As a result, so will the issues related to large groups working together.Ways to mediate and ensure equal and effective participation are an important option to support these endeavours
Objective: We propose a framework that addresses how to evaluate collaborative, adaptive, and interactive applications.
Methods: In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive review of a variety of databases using terminology related to this area. Results: We present a review of evaluation frameworks and also propose a framework that incorporates collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies, grounded in evaluation theory.
Conclusion: This framework can be applied by researchers who wish to compare Web-based interventions, non-profit organizations, and clinical groups who aim to provide health information and support about a particular health concern via the Web, and decisions about funding grants by agencies interested in the role of social networks and collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies technologies to improve health and the health system.
Results: In this article, we propose an adaptation of Kolb's experiential learning theory to begin to formulate an experiential health information processing model that may contribute to our understanding of online health information seeking behaviour in this context.
Conclusion: An experiential health information processing model is proposed that can be used as a research framework. Future research directions include investigating the utility of this model in the online health information seeking context, studying the impact of collaborating in these online environments on patient decision making and on health outcomes are provided.
Methods : This exploratory study was implemented using surveys and focus groups with 23 participants in Toronto, Canada. The purposive sample included men and women.
Results : A variety of both off-and online resources were used to learn about HIV/AIDS treatment information, including web-based and print. All participants were communicating with others, primarily in person, and most desired anecdotal treatment information. However, few reported using CMC to accomplish this goal. Harris and Dewdney's Principles of Information Seeking was used to frame the findings.
Conclusions : Despite technical proficiency with CMC, few participants in this study reported use of this communication tool. Information professionals need to ensure access to HIV health information including those in remote areas who have fewer resources.
equipment such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but in
reality many who are using non-standard devices or
software to surf the Web will face difficulties accessing
information. These alternative methods require that Web
sites be designed to accommodate this need. Although many
are knowledgeable about the US legislation Section 508
dealing with this issue, less is known about what other
countries require. This paper provides an overview of the
accessibility standards outlined by the Canadian
Government for its Web sites. It also contains a review of
four software products designed to assess violations of these
standards. Each software tool is compared on a series of
practical and functional indicators. For small to medium
sites, A-Prompt and Bobby are recommended and for large
or multiple sites, InFocus and AccVerify are better choices.
Limitations of each software product are also noted.
including tags and tag clouds, where site users ‘tag’ or label online content, each using their own labelling system. Concepts such as the date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations are considered predictors of credible content. An understanding of these descriptive tools, how they relate to the depiction of credibility and how this relates to overall efforts to label data in relation to the semantic web has yet to emerge.
Purpose: This study investigates how structured (pre-determined) and unstructured (user-generated) tags and tag clouds with a multiple word search feature are used by participants to assess credibility of messages posted in online message forums. The targeted respondents were those using web sites message forums for disease self-management. We also explored the relevancy of our findings to the labelling or indexing of data in the context of the semantic web.
Method: Diabetes was chosen as the content area in this study, since (a) this is a condition with increasing prevalence and (b) diabetics have been shown to actively use the Internet to manage their condition. From January to March 2010 participants were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. A screening instrument was used to determine eligibility. The study consisted of a demographic and computer usage survey, a series of usability tests
and an interview. We tested participants (N = 22) on two scenarios, each involving tasks that assessed their ability to tag content and search using a tag cloud that included six structured credibility terms (statistics, date, reference, author, testimonial and quotations). MORAE Usability software (version 3.1) was employed to record participants’ use of the study environment. The surveys were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Interviews with participants were transcribed, coded and analyzed using thematic text analysis with the aid of NVivo8.
Findings: Most participants had experience with Internet resources. However, less than one quarter of this sample had seen or used tags or a tag clouds. The ways in which participants used tags to label the content posted in the message forums varied. Some participants were tagging the information for their own subsequent use, whereas others viewed this process from the perspective of others: they tagged the content in ways that they thought other users would find beneficial. Many participants did not use the structured credibility tags when asked to search for credible content. The interviews corroborated these findings by confirming participants were not considering credibility foremost when tagging.
Conclusion: Many participants in this study focused on assessing whether the information was relevant to their current circumstances, after which they would proceed to determine its credibility by corroborating with other sources. The use of structured tags to label information may not be a useful way to encourage the use of tagging, or to indicate credibility in this context. Current applications used in the semantic web automate this process. There-
fore it may be useful to engage consumers of online content, in particular health-related content, to be more directly involved in the annotation of this content.
moderating or facilitating online health communities. The paper outlines why facilitation of online support groups is important, and strategies to support these communities by promoting and maintaining participation, while outlining key characteristics of an effective facilitator. It also highlights some of the challenges involved in facilitating online environments, with empha-
sis on gender-related issues and ‘groupthink’.
Methods to evaluate these processes are also discussed. Electronic communication to support treatment decisions by patients is likely to con-
tinue to grow. As a result, so will the issues related to large groups working together.Ways to mediate and ensure equal and effective participation are an important option to support these endeavours
Objective: We propose a framework that addresses how to evaluate collaborative, adaptive, and interactive applications.
Methods: In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive review of a variety of databases using terminology related to this area. Results: We present a review of evaluation frameworks and also propose a framework that incorporates collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies, grounded in evaluation theory.
Conclusion: This framework can be applied by researchers who wish to compare Web-based interventions, non-profit organizations, and clinical groups who aim to provide health information and support about a particular health concern via the Web, and decisions about funding grants by agencies interested in the role of social networks and collaborative, adaptive, and interactive technologies technologies to improve health and the health system.
Results: In this article, we propose an adaptation of Kolb's experiential learning theory to begin to formulate an experiential health information processing model that may contribute to our understanding of online health information seeking behaviour in this context.
Conclusion: An experiential health information processing model is proposed that can be used as a research framework. Future research directions include investigating the utility of this model in the online health information seeking context, studying the impact of collaborating in these online environments on patient decision making and on health outcomes are provided.
Methods : This exploratory study was implemented using surveys and focus groups with 23 participants in Toronto, Canada. The purposive sample included men and women.
Results : A variety of both off-and online resources were used to learn about HIV/AIDS treatment information, including web-based and print. All participants were communicating with others, primarily in person, and most desired anecdotal treatment information. However, few reported using CMC to accomplish this goal. Harris and Dewdney's Principles of Information Seeking was used to frame the findings.
Conclusions : Despite technical proficiency with CMC, few participants in this study reported use of this communication tool. Information professionals need to ensure access to HIV health information including those in remote areas who have fewer resources.
equipment such as a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, but in
reality many who are using non-standard devices or
software to surf the Web will face difficulties accessing
information. These alternative methods require that Web
sites be designed to accommodate this need. Although many
are knowledgeable about the US legislation Section 508
dealing with this issue, less is known about what other
countries require. This paper provides an overview of the
accessibility standards outlined by the Canadian
Government for its Web sites. It also contains a review of
four software products designed to assess violations of these
standards. Each software tool is compared on a series of
practical and functional indicators. For small to medium
sites, A-Prompt and Bobby are recommended and for large
or multiple sites, InFocus and AccVerify are better choices.
Limitations of each software product are also noted.