It has come to my attention through SeniorNet, one of the partnering organizations, that IBM Web Adaptation Technology may be just the ticket for those folks experiencing visual problems with Internet browsing.

The IBM Web Adaptation Technology software is designed to make the Web easier to use. This is accomplished by transforming Web pages to meet your individual needs. For example, it enhances the readability of pages, reduces visual clutter of some pages, makes the mouse and keyboard easier to use, and reads text aloud. Importantly, you can combine transformation changes. For example, you might want to have text read aloud while reformatting the page layout to reduce clutter.

Your preferences are saved from session to session so you see Web pages the way that’s best for you from any computer with the software.

The following are examples of enhancements this technology can make to your Web browsing experience:

Enlarging content on Web pages
Frequently, people want to make the content of Web pages larger. The Web Adaptation Technology allows you to do this in a number of ways:

Enlarging text size
Using banner text, which is the presentation of a single line of very large text at the top of the screen
Page magnification
Enlarging images
Magnification of browser controls (such as the scroll bar and file menus)
Enlarging the mouse pointer and busy indicator (hourglass)
Tailoring the text to meet your needs

Many Web pages have fonts that are difficult to read.
The Web Adaptation Technology provides ways to make text more legible:

Speaking text aloud
Changing text and background colors for better contrast
Changing text style
Increasing the spacing between letters
Increasing the spacing between lines
Reducing visual clutter on Web pages

The design of some Web pages is so complex that it can interfere with your ability to make sense of it. Web Adaptation Technology improves legibility in a number of ways:

Removing backgrounds
Stopping animations
Not displaying images
Reformat the page layout so that content is presented in a single column
Keyboard and mouse adaptations

The computer keyboard and mouse can present various difficulties for some users. Web Adaptation Technology makes both easier to use in a number of ways:

Tab navigation and shortcut keys
Keyboard sensitivity that adapts automatically to your typing to reduce unwanted repeated key presses
Easier one-handed typing
Presentation of audio key clicks for feedback about when keys are pressed
Keyboard keys to control the mouse cursor


http://www.webadapt.org/ibm/about/default.php?PageID=2