COP Planning for practice

To simplify things, the visual design and the content of the encyclopedia are kept separate. This allows Te Ara's editorial staff to update and maintain the site's content without interfering with its layout. Where possible, tasks have been automated for ease of use and consistency. Besides making the whole structure more robust, this de-coupling of information from its presentation means content can be easily published in alternative formats, such as book form or as a CD-Rom.

The question of accessibility also had to be addressed by the creators of Te Ara. The standard Web browser on a PC is the by far the most common type of way of accessing online content, but there are others, and these are particularly important to people with disabilities. People with disabilities use a wide range of technologies to access Web content, these include: speech or voice browsers, and text-only browsers. In addition, a wide range of assistive technologies are available to help people with computer accessibility. Examples include: Speech recognition software, which can be useful for those who have difficulty using a mouse or a keyboard; Screen magnification software, which magnifies what is displayed on the computer monitor, making it easier to read for vision impaired users; Keyboard overlays which can make typing easier and more accurate for those who have motor control difficulties. Screen reader software, which can read out, using synthesised speech, either selected elements of what is being displayed on the monitor (helpful for users with reading or learning difficulties), or which can read out everything that is happening on the PC (used by blind and vision impaired users).