A Website Critique: Cerebral Palsy Web
Cerebral Palsy Web, located on the Internet at http://www.cerebral-palsy-web.org/eating.htm, is a website dedicated to providing the public information about Cerebral Palsy. This site was chosen because CP is a condition that affects thousands of babies and children each year, but seems to get very little press. It is one of those conditions that everyone seems to recognize the name, but know very little about. Websites such as this one are attempting to educate the public, especially the loved ones of those afflicted with this condition, about it, while also dispelling myths and offering help to families in need of assistance.
The good aspects of the site are that it is easy to understand. It is not laden with medical terminology and it the explanations are short and simple, while still offering pertinent information. It would seem that one of the website's missions is to provide information and financial assistance, since on every page of the site there is a form that a person of a CP patient could fill out and receive a consultation. The website is well-organized and easy to navigate with menus at the left and bottom, as well as hyperlinked terminology and phrases throughout the text that leads to further information on that particular topic.
The poor aspects of the site are more from a design standpoint: the site is boring and unimaginative, which some might find a turn-off or seem unprofessional. Projecting such an image might reflect poorly on the quality of information, even if such a judgment was not accurate. Finally, on the "Resources" page, there is a long list of support groups. While the page itself is an asset to the site with links to other national organizations that provide information on CP, support groups are so important to families with a CP child that this link should be more prominently displayed on the site with a direct link labeled SUPPORT GROUPS in all ...