WCAG 2.0 preview – So what’s new?
Mark Palmer, of User Vision talks us through the developments from WCAG v.1.0 to the new working draft of the WCAG 2.0 guidelines, released on 17 May. Mark outlines what is new, and what remains the same, and he highlights four key principles of web development, how the new technologies are covered and the ‘testability’ of these guidelines.

Technological innovations in the world of welfare
Lasa (London Advice Services Alliance) has been providing strategic and innovative services to support the provision of expert independent advice for all since 1984. The ICT products and services they provide are extensive and nationally acclaimed. EPI asks Lasa’s Aba Maison to give us the virtual tour of a select few projects…

Mobile working reaps rewards
A mobile working solution is meaning employees at the London Borough of Lewisham are now literally able to go that extra mile for their customers. And with everything from the carbon footprint to the Gershon efficiency savings looking good too, we ask their Business Systems Manager Jean Neville how they got there.

Haringey maps out plans to tackle energy waste
Earlier this year Haringey Council became the first local authority in England to publish an internet map showing heat loss from every property in the borough. Head of housing at the north London borough, Peter Nourse, explains how the new thermographic study will play an important role as the council steps up its fight against climate change.

Patient Opinion: a social enterprise harnessing the web for patient involvement
The web may be revolutionising the retail sector and turning the travel industry upside down, but somehow most public services still seem to stand apart from the whirlwind created by ‘Web 2.0’. But there is no shortage of public comment about, for example, health care, even on the web. It is just that it isn’t yet structured in a way that services, or indeed patients, can easily relate to.

Social Software: gateway to the bigger picture
Pioneering technology is set to help social welfare practitioners focus on the individuals who need it most, by encouraging and facilitating communication across all systems involved in child care in England and Wales. Marc Radley, founder of Social Software explains…

Online community initiative tackles social exclusion
National charity StartHere is calling for partners for a London-wide pilot project to help tackle social exclusion through information and communications technology (ICT).