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About This Site area includes What's the purpose of this site?, Why is the National Cancer Institute providing this resource? Who manages this site? etc.

What's the purpose of this site?What's the purpose of this site?

This site is designed to provide current and accurate information on how to make health-related information Web sites and other user interfaces more usable, accessible, and useful. The site also links to a variety of quality Web sites and resources on usability, accessibility, and related topics that exist in the field.

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Why is the National Cancer Institute providing this resource?Why is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services providing this resource?

Clear and effective online communication to the public is a critical element in the overall communications strategy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This site was developed to specifically assist HHS Web managers, designers, and authors improve their overall communications and design efforts. However, since the general principles of good design and usability are applicable to anyone who works with information Web sites, we decided to make the site available to other federal agencies and to the general public.

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Who manages this site?Who manages this site?

Usability.gov is managed by the HHS Web Management Team in HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and the Office of Budget, Technology, and Finance.

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Who is this site designed for?Who is this site designed for?

Anyone interested in creating Web sites and other user interfaces that are responsive, easy-to-use, and accessible. Other user interfaces include software applications, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other mobile technologies, or any device the user can operate in some way or another.

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What's on this site?What's on this site?

Usability.gov provides broad information on usability and accessibility. The site comprises original content in addition to links to external Web sites, resources, and articles.

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Does Usability.gov have a linking policy?Does Usability.gov have a linking policy?

Usability.gov uses the following guidelines for linking to non-HHS Web sites. Web sites and pages that Usability.gov links to must provide information that

  • Relates to the mission of Usability.gov and complements and enhances the information on Usability.gov;
  • Provides credible, accurate and current information, is subject to adequate procedures for the review and updating of material;
  • Makes reasonable accommodations for users with disabilities, such as the visually impaired;
  • Primarily focuses on information or educational content, rather than the promotion of a product or service; and
  • Adheres to adequate policies regarding external links and privacy of user data.

These criteria may change to reflect new Web policies at HHS.

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What's New area includes New usability Lessons Learned, More Tech companies see the value and profitability of usability, New W3C guidelines.

Moving Forms to the Web - Thursday-Friday, October 14-15, 2004

Goal Oriented Planning and Testing October 21, 2004

New Research-Based Guidelines Sorting Tool: Sort Guidelines by Importance, Strength of Evidence, and Other Options

What's New Archive



 
   
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