Web accessibility technology at the IBM Tokyo Research Laboratory

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of Web accessibility technologies developed at the IBM Tokyo Research Laboratory. Home Page Reader provides an easy and comfortable way for the blind to read Web pages. Transcoding technology solves problems that arise when a voice browser, such as Home Page Reader, reads Web pages. It also offers more comfortable ways for visually impaired people and senior citizens to read Web pages. Accessibility Designer, the main focus of this paper, allows page designers to learn about disabilities and to create more accessible and usable Web pages at authoring time. It has two modes: a low-vision mode and a blind mode. The low-vision mode simulates the perception of people with low vision and detects inaccessible parts in the target page. The blind mode visualizes the usability of a voice browser for the target page and detects accessibility and usability problems. Accessibility Observer makes it easier for Web developers to detect accessibility problems. © Copyright 2004 by International Business Machines Corporation.