Some of you may have known Jodi Mattes, perhaps through her paper on website accessibility at the CIDOC/MDA conference at Imperial College.  I am very sad to have to report that, after a brave and determined battle against cancer, Jodi died on 5th December at the tragically young age of just 28.

Jodi worked on the COMPASS project from June 1998 to July 2000, when she left to take up a post at the RNIB.  She brought to the British Museum a commitment to access for all.   Jodi worked tirelessly with the COMPASS team and software suppliers to ensure that the COMPASS website was fully accessible.  She designed the Text only version of COMPASS and worked with Hertfordshire University and a team of users with visual impairments, to test and revise the system.  The positive feedback about COMPASS that the Museum has received from blind and partially sighted users is testament to Jodi’s expertise and determination.  

Jodi’s paper to the CIDOC/MDA conference was published in mda Information in July 2001.  In addition, Jodi co-wrote a chapter in the forthcoming book: Special Educational Needs and the Internet: Issues for the inclusive classroom. (Edited by Chris Abbott. Routledge Falmer Education, 2001.)

Jodi’s work on accessibility helped her to get a job at RNIB, working on audio descriptions for theatres, museums and galleries as part of the ‘Talking Images’ project.  Her time in this ideal job was marred from the start by her struggle against cancer, but in typical fashion, Jodi was determined to work throughout chemotherapy treatment and made a significant contribution to the RNIB’s work in this field. 

With a BA in Archaeology from Sheffield and an M.Phil in Archaeological Heritage and Museums from Cambridge, Jodi volunteered and worked at a number of museums, including Kettle’s Yard, the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Fitzwilliam, Passmore Edwards, London Museum of Jewish Life and the V&A.  It was at Kettle’s Yard that she first worked with blind and partially sighted users on accessibility.  On temporary contract at BT, Jodi then developed her administrative skills - which she used with such calm efficiency on the COMPASS project.

The COMPASS team will remember Jodi as supremely efficient, totally committed and mature way beyond her years.  She could certainly have gone on to contribute at a very senior level.  On the personal side, Jodi was full of life and laughter, always supporting her friends and family.  She was delightfully blunt, witty, terrifyingly intelligent - and an Elvis fan.  

Jodi imparted in all of us a real awareness of access issues and we are determined to continue her pioneering work to make our websites accessible to all.  In her work, Jodi made a real difference to people’s lives.  She never met most of those people, but was determined to help them.  For those who were lucky enough to know and work with Jodi, she was a joy and an inspiration.

Fiona Marshall