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IBM Web Adaptation Tool (WAT)

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)

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  1. 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

  2. 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’

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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)

  10. 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

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