IBM Home Page Reader

IBM Home Page Reader has helped bring the world of the Internet to users who are blind or have low vision. With Home Page Reader 3.04, new features have been included that help this talking Web browser provide users with easier access to the Web.
Home Page Reader speaks information in a clear and effective manner as it is presented on the computer screen. Users hear everything from a description of graphics, to forms, frames and tables. Enhanced navigation features provide additional help in understanding complex tables and data input fields, and a simple search function provides the capability to look for descriptive text on a page or the entire Web.
In addition to being a Web browser, Home Page Reader includes a new desktop reader with keyboard navigation and speech output for the Microsoft Windows desktop and selected system applications. Compatible applications include Windows Explorer, Control Panel, Notepad, Media Player, WordPad and more.
Home Page Reader includes many features for users with low vision. Now those features and dialogs are on Home Page Reader menus so they are easier to access. Users with low vision can quickly change font size, type and color to customize the way information is presented to them. Windows and panes can also be resized to make the information easier to see, and a moving cursor that is synchronized with Home Page Reader's voice can help users maintain their focus while reading Web pages.
New to this release of Home Page Reader is the View Zoom feature for Web page magnification. It enlarges everything on a Web page by a designated percentage to assist users with low vision in reading information. Home Page Reader can also highlight words and characters on the Web page as they are spoken.
Text and links are read by different voices — a male voice speaks plain text while a female voice speaks links. Users may customize this and other speech and text settings according to preference.
Don Barrett, assistive technology specialist, U.S. Department of Education says, "IBM Home Page Reader is a striking example of what a mainstream company can do when it chooses to develop a product that is useful to persons with disabilities. It's a product IBM can and should be proud of, and it underscores their commitment to accessible information technology."

• Reads Web pages, the Microsoft Windows desktop and selected system applications
• Incorporates features for low vision, such as magnification and highlighting
• Assists Web developers in testing for accessibility
• Supports Adobe PDF and Macromedia Flash content
• Provides access to popular Web-based e-mail applications
• Includes multilanguage IBM text-to-speech technology

Multiple usesIBM Home Page Reader brings the world of the Internet to users who are blind or have low vision. It is an award-winning, talking Web browser that uses the power of speech to aid users in exploring the World Wide Web. Originally created as an assistive technology for users who are blind or have low vision, Home Page Reader's visual user interface and easy-to-learn keyboard navigation make it a popular accessibility test tool for Web developers. In fact, Home Page Reader was developed with testing for usability and efficient navigation of Web sites in mind.

Comprehensive Web access

Using an IBM text-to-speech synthesizer, Home Page Reader speaks Web-based information aloud in a clear and effective manner as it is presented on the computer screen. Users hear everything from a description of graphics, to forms, frames and tables. Special navigation features provide additional help in understanding complex tables and data input fields, and a simple search function provides the capability to look for descriptive text on a page or the entire web.

Customizable user interface

With Home Page Reader, users with low vision can quickly change font size, type and color to customize the way information is presented to them. Users can easily design a personalized look based on visual preference. Windows and panes can also be resized to make the information easier to see, and a moving cursor that is synchronized with Home Page Reader's voice can help users maintain their focus while reading Web pages.
Magnification of Web pages and highlighting words and characters as they are spoken in both text and graphic Web page views can assist users with low vision in reading information. Text and links are read by different voices — a male voice speaks plain text while a female voice speaks links. Users may customize this and other speech and text settings according to preference.

New desktop reader capability

In addition to being a Web browser, Home Page Reader includes a desktop reader with keyboard navigation and speech output for Adobe Reader, Macromedia Flash, and a number of Windows applications, including the Windows desktop and selected system applications, such as

• Help
• Control Panel
• Notepad
• Media Player
• Settings
• Start menu
• Taskbar
• Windows Explorer
• WordPad

Adobe and Macromedia support

With the proliferation of PDF and Flash on the Web, users who are blind or have low vision need a way to access this content. One of Home Page Reader's most important new functions is the ability to read accessible, tagged Adobe Reader 6.0 PDF documents and accessible Macromedia Flash Player 7 content. Now, users with visual impairments don't have to miss out on potentially valuable information.

Communication support

Home Page Reader makes it easier to keep in contact with friends, family members and business associates. The program now provides access to selected Web-based mailers including Yahoo and MSN Hotmail.

The Voice of the World Wide Web for blind and visually impaired users. Home Page Reader is a spoken on-ramp to the Information Highway for computer users who are visually impaired.

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