Down Sydrome Online's open access policy praised by The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services

The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services has praised Downsed's websites for providing open access to "a mass of material that will enrich the learning of anyone interested in Down Syndrome".

Easy and free access to high quality information

Down Syndrome Education International updated the design and content of its websites during summer 2008 in order to simplify navigation and to introduce a cleaner layout. The update also paved the way for the release of new online editions of the Down Syndrome Issues and Information education series.

Using the latest technologies

In its regular 'Webwatch', the Learning Technology Team at The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) has commended the Down Syndrome Online for prodividing a "rich seam of educational, research and training resources", including the "excellent" Down Syndrome Issues and Information publications.

The review draws particular attention the open access periodical Down Syndrome Research and Practice:

"Most notable however, and reason enough to make this website of the month, is the open access peer-reviewed journal Down Syndrome Research and Practice. This multidisciplinary journal – the official journal of the European Down Syndrome Association - publishes high quality 'news, reviews and peer-reviewed scientific papers of importance to the quality of life of people with Down syndrome.' DownsEd International recently adopted an open access policy for the journal and all issues - from the first issue in 1993 – are available online. This is a highly commendable stance and we hope it encourages other social care organisations to adopt a similar open access policy."

Future developments

DownsEd is particularly proud of the comments from IRISS, as its websites are developed and hosted in-house. As noted in the IRISS review, the websites are still undergoing further development and improvements to continue to best meet the needs of families, professionals and researchers worldwide.

More information

Read the full Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services review at http://www.iriss.ac.uk/node/675

Comments

[Md. Ishan Ali Raja Bangali]

I am father of a down baby. so I need your`s advice how to improve my son. he is 3 years now, but can`t speak,can`t eat alone & absent monded.