National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Website

NIDCD

Since 1996, Westat has developed and maintained the public NIDCD website and subsites for providing information on auditory and communication disorders to the general public, affected individuals, researchers, and educators. The main website is managed using the Microsoft Content Management System. Our customized applications include a publications order form and a directory of communication-oriented organizations with advanced search capabilities. We have also developed educational elements such as classroom guides and an online version of the distorted tunes test. In 2010, we launched a revamped design, enhanced the functionality of several pages, added content sections, and co-created an e-bulletin system. The changes were the culmination of extensive usability testing with parents of children with hearing impairments begun in 2007.

Westat has supported the NIH Stem Cell Information website since 2006. Key features include a primer on stem cell research for nonexpert readers, highlights of published stem cell research, current research at NIH, and a glossary. Based on usability testing, we redesigned the website in 2006 to improve navigation and search results. In the year following the redesigned site gained approximately a 300 percent increase in unique visitors.

In 2007, Westat began designing and developing two new websites. In 2008, we launched a site to promote awareness of an NEI-funded clinical trial on Usher syndrome. Our developers worked with NIDCD scientists to create a site tailored to low-vision requirements. We also launched It’s a Noisy Planet to provide parents and tweens with practical information on preventing noise-induced hearing loss. The site, now on the SharePoint platform, includes a multimedia “Tween Zone” with games, videos, and an interactive sound ruler.

Westat-developed NIDCD products have scored above the NIH Institute average on the American Customer Satisfaction Index in multiple years. Awards include

• For the NIDCD website
• 2010 Web Health Award, Bronze Award (government category);
• 2008 W³ Awards, two Silver Awards (health and government categories);
• World Wide Web Health Awards, 2003–2010: five Bronze Awards and seven Merit Awards; and
• Webby Awards, Webby Worthy designation.

• For the NIH Stem Cell website
• World Wide Web Health Awards, 2004–2010: one Silver Award, two Bronze Awards, and two Merit Awards

• For It’s a Noisy Planet website
• 2009 W³ Awards, Silver Award (family/parenting category); and
• 2008 World Wide Web Health Awards, Merit Award.