IBM making web surfing easier for Blind people?

Stuart · 28-10-2009, 10:59

IBM has developed a new technology that should make it easier for Blind people to surf..

Now, Screen Readers are good, but the problem is they can get confused by bad web design. They do well on large bodies of text, but can get confused by the layout of a lot of modern websites. These will include pictures, flash movies, ads and little blocks of text. As such, the layout can be a little disorganised, and the screen reader may not be able to flow directly to the next one.

IBM's project is simple. They have written a sidebar that volunteers can use to mark out the "flow" of a webpage. The flow data is stored on IBM's servers, and is automatically retrieved by compatible screen reader software, which can then use it to work out which bits of the screen to read and when.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/27/ibm_voice/

**Maggy** · 28-10-2009, 12:41

Looks good..wonder how it will translate in cost?

dilli-theclaw · 28-10-2009, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Looks good..wonder how it will translate in cost?

Well, a good screen reader / magnifier costs around Â£500 a copy.

Still it does seem like a good idea and something to keep an eye on, if you pardon the pun