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IBM Web Adaptation Tool (WAT). Making the Web easier to use. 2002 Product of the Year Gold Award of Honor. IBM PCIG April 14, 2005. History & Purpose. Created by IBM Research Web accessibility experts Makes the Web easier to use and navigate for older adults and people with disabilities
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IBM Web Adaptation Tool(WAT) Making the Web easier to use 2002 Product of the Year Gold Award of Honor IBM PCIG April 14, 2005
History & Purpose • Created by IBM Research Web accessibility experts • Makes the Web easier to use and navigate for older adults and people with disabilities • Helps bridge the ‘digital divide’
Function • Dynamically adapts Web content for easier viewing & reading • Disabilities addressed • Vision impairment (normal, aging, low vision) • Limited hand use (arthritis, tremors, partial paralysis) • Cognitive impairments (reading or attention difficulties)
Reconfigures keyboard Reads aloud paragraphs & single words Magnifies pages Magnifies pointers & browser controls Changes page layouts Reformats without removing content Enhances text Enlarges fonts Banner text (very large) for low vision Letter & line spacing Increases contrast (color) Font style changes Background removal Enhances images Enlarges & sharpens Stops animations Features
Personalization • Users can set and save preferences • Accommodates individual needs based on any number or combination of features • Settings are saved on a project server (retrieved on login) • Individual ID/password enables use on any computer with the downloaded software
Pilot Program Results • Successful two-year pilot test with SeniorNet, a national U.S. not-for-profit organization • IBM Research experts provided additional development & enhancement • Overwhelmingly embraced by participating seniors & volunteers • Became an integral tool for greater, more efficient use of the Web
Availability • Available only through IBM Corporate Community Relations grants program (must meet grant criteria) • Requires substantial commitment by participating not-for-profit organizations (IRS 501c3 charities) • Eligible Organizations include those serving large numbers of people with: • Low income or limited educational opportunities • Disabilities, limited mobility, adults seeking employment • Limited computer skills, Internet access or English skills
System Requirements • Computer with Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP • The Microsoft IE browser, version 5.5 or higher (may also need Microsoft Java Virtual Machine) • 125 MB Memory (256 MB recommended for WinXP) • 10 MB free on your hard drive for the software • An active Internet connection (you must know how to get connected if it is not always on) • Optimized for screen resolution of 800 x 600 pixels • Works well at higher resolutions (e.g., 1024 x 768 pixels) • Lower resolutions (e.g., 640 x 480 pixels) are not supported.
To use the Speak Text function you must: Be able to hear sounds on your computer through either external or built-in speakers or headphones Have an additional 284 MB free on the hard drive for IBM's ViaVoice™ TTS engine To use the Mouse Key function you must: Have a keyboard that has a separate numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard (allows you to use the keyboard instead of a mouse) System Requirements (cont’d)
Software Downloads • Main Project Page • http://www.webadapt.org (all downloads & user info) • WAT program about 2.5 MB, MS Java about 5 MB • Optional Text-To-Speech (TTS) downloads about 5 MB • PACER installation CD (has everything, launches automatically) • User ID/password needed for downloads • Email Jeff Stevens (jeff1132@charter.net) with: • Your name, email address, ID & password desired • Getting help: Call PACER at 952-838-9000 for support