About the New Media Workshop

This site publishes some of my essays, commentary, and media criticism. It also organizes links to a wide range of Internet resources that support my ongoing projects. As the name "workshop" suggests, the site is a work-in-progress. Some of the pages function as custom-built work benches that enable me to work more effectively in cyberspace. Other pages document paths followed in doing the work. Much of the writing published here represents unfinished work. I offer it humbly, dear reader, and welcome your feedback. As Walter Lowenfels said, "One reader is a miracle. Two readers are a movement."

This site also is an experiment and demonstration project in equal access to information technology for computer users with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or visually impaired. When I began to lose eyesight 30 years ago, I worked as a newspaper reporter and magazine editor. I did a lot of page layout when "cutting and pasting" literally meant scissors and glue. Over the years I've directed the work of photographers and graphic designers, but I never thought I would do hands-on design again until I started building web sites. This one is dedicated to pushing the visual envelope as far as I can for as long as I can while striving for accessibility and usability that requires no sight at all. That possibility is what excites me about new media. Accessibility, too, is an unfinished project. No single solution meets all needs. Again, dear reader - however you read this - I welcome your feedback. - Mark Willis

Mark Willis biographical sketch