Epic-designed kiosks help city's househunters

The Government's drive to make public services available electronically takes a step forward in the City of Brighton & Hove today with the launch of a series of networked touch-screen kiosks designed by Epic, Europe's leading e-learning company.

Funded by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), 18 HomeWire kiosks are being deployed by Brighton and Hove City Council to provide information on housing. The kiosks are sited in public areas such as council offices, libraries and a local supermarket.

Though available for use by all, the kiosks are primarily intended for those who need particular help with finding accommodation. A survey undertaken by the council in 2000 showed that 12% of its residents have a significant housing need and are unable to afford suitable housing at market costs. The HomeWire kiosks provide instant information on a range of housing options across tenures and throughout the country.

Care has been taken in the design not only to make sure that the kiosks are physically easy to access by, for example, wheelchair users - but that the interface is easily usable by those not comfortable with new technology.

One of the greatest challenges in delivering electronic services to the general public is the question of user-friendly interface design. Epic has particular experience in this area, with well-established expertise in user testing and even a dedicated testing facility known as EpiCentre. Much consultation and involvement with the target groups, as well as extensive testing, went into obtaining HomeWire's clear and attractive interface.

Donald Clark, Epic, said, 'Good design does not happen by accident - it needs to be planned and developed. Epic specialises in, and wins awards for, good interface design because we know that it is this that makes people use, and revisit, websites and kiosks.'

Private accommodation is listed and landlords can be emailed. One click on a button and users can see what council accommodation is available nationally for immediate use. Clients will even be able to use the kiosks to arrange property exchanges. A print facility is available so that information can be taken away.