The new technologies are designed to improve computer accessibility for those with age-related disabilities and other physical limitations.
or companies trying to keep older workers from retiring, one smart move may
be to make the work environment more elder-friendly, says Sara Basson, program
manager of IBM’s Worldwide Accessibility Center in Austin, Texas. That’s why IBM
has developed a package of software tools to improve computer accessibility for
those with age-related disabilities and other physical limitations.
The new technologies, which are available for download from IBM’s alphaWorks
Web site, are designed to work with existing software, such as Microsoft
Internet Explorer, that may already be on the user’s computer.
One potentially useful tool is Web Adaptation Technology, which changes the
way that Internet Explorer displays Web pages. "It allows you as a user to
identify what works for you best," Basson says. "You can pick a font size and
color combination that works best for your eyes, and get rid of flashing things
on the page and wallpapers that make it visually confusing." Additionally, the
software contains a feature that will read aloud any block of text if the user
scrolls the mouse over it.
A second part of the software package is a Keyboard Optimizer, which allows
users to adjust the keyboard to suit their typing style or disability. One
particularly useful feature is a program that eases typing for people with
tremors, arthritis or a lack of control due to a stroke. The software filters
out shaking movements of the hand, Basson says, by using artificial intelligence
capabilities to figure out which keys the user intended to tap. In addition, the
keyboard can be adjusted for use by one-hand typists. "If you tend to move
slowly and perseverate over a key, the keyboard can adjust, so that you don’t
have a string of jjjjj or rrrr," Basson says.
Another related tool is mouse-smoothing software, which filters out shaking
movements of the hand.
IBM also is offering the Reflexive User Interface Builder, which enables
corporate software developers to create applications that are simpler and
clearer for older users or those with disabilities.
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