KijkStad (SymbolCity)
SymbolCity
is the name of a virtual community that was developed for young people
who use graphic symbols to communicate.
In SymbolCity (www.kijkstad.nl) members can
do a lot of things: get in contact with other people (via chat and
e-mail), look for and exchange information, play games, learn, and so
on.
The people for whom SymbolCity was made, can hardly or not at all get on with writing or text.
Access to the Internet and e-mail is only possible using graphic
symbols or simple text.
SymbolCity has realised an application in which they can find their
own place, in their own way, their own tempo and using their own
language.
Praatstad
SymbolCity was developed in the project "Praatstad", a technological development project, combined with a training
schedule and user consultation.
SymbolCity was an initiative of BOSK, an association of
motorically handicapped children and their parents.
The other project partners were:
- the Research, Development and Support Centre of the Institution for Deaf/Mgr. Terwindt in Sint-Michielsgestel/Nijmegen (IvD/MTW-RDS)
- KPN Research
- Madocke
- Handicom.
The project started in March 2000 and ended in September 2001. SymbolCity was funded by the Dutch Corporation for the Handicapped Child (NSGK), in Amsterdam.