IBM Home Page Reader for Windows, a new, talking Web browser, brings the Web to blind and visually
impaired computer users by speaking aloud the information found on a Web site. The
new software, in U.S. English, joins the original Japanese version. IBM intends
to translate Home Page Reader into other languages this year. The new software, called Home Page Reader for Windows, provides
Internet access by speaking aloud the information found on a Web site. The new software,
available in U.S. English, joins the original Japanese version of the product.
IBM also announced that it intends to translate Home Page Reader into other languages
this year.
IBM reached out to blind people from around the country to test and review the
new English version of Home Page Reader while in development. The original Japanese
version was developed with the help of Chieko Asakawa, a blind researcher from IBM's
Tokyo Research Laboratory.
More than 850,000 individuals in the United States are blind, according to the
National Federation of the Blind.
"More and more people are joining the Internet revolution," said Chuck
King, product manager, IBM Special Needs Systems. "But until recently, access
to the Internet was extremely limited for blind adults and children. Home Page
Reader is closing the information gap between sighted and blind computer users at
home and at work. Now, more people nationwide can benefit from the wealth of information
available on the Internet."
Bringing Internet Access to the Blind
Home Page Reader uses IBM's ViaVoice Outloud
U.S. English text-to-speech technology, and Netscape Navigator to speak Web-based
information in a complete, clear and easy-to-understand format. The product recognizes
HTML tags, the programming language used to design Web pages, to accurately translate
text, tables, graphic descriptions, text in column format and data fields, allowing
blind users to obtain the same information as sighted users.
Home Page Reader uses a simple keypad that allows blind users to interact with
their computer and easily navigate the Internet. A fast-forward function allows
users to skim Web pages to locate information quickly. Additionally, the software
offers an integrated electronic mail feature that allows a user to send messages
via e-mail.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at $149, Home Page Reader is available
immediately in the United States. Additional user licenses can be purchased at
$129 each. To order Home Page Reader from IBM, customers can call 1-800-426-7630.
Home Page Reader software runs on Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows
NT. System memory requirements include 32MB RAM for Windows 95 and Windows 98,
and 64MB RAM for Windows NT. Also required is 7MB of hard disk space and an additional
10MB if installing Netscape Navigator (which is provided with Home Page Reader),
and quad speed CD-ROM drive. Minimum system processor requirements are 150MHz Pentium
with MMX or equivalent. For more information, contact IBM Special Needs Systems
at 800-426-4832 or via the Internet at http://www.ibm.com/sns @Macarlo, Inc. @Macarlo's Shareware & Web OS/2 Java Lobby Member
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