A Talking Web Browser
Productivity Works from Trenton, New Jersey, has unveiled a browser that talks to the user to help the visually impaired get World Wide Web access. The software is called pwWebSpeak. pwWebSpeak is a browser which translates information content from Web pages into speech. The intelligence built into the browser reads HTML code and automatically disregards non-HTML content such as graphics and multimedia. The browser also creates large character interpretations of Web pages for partially sighted users.
There are 27 million visually impaired individuals in the United States and Europe, according to Productivity Works. The company began beta testing pwWebSpeak in March. Beta testers must be visually impaired, have a PC running Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, Internet access running a TCP/IP connection, and an audio card. The browser will be available in April for free. The company is asking for a $100 maintenance fee, but will waive the cost if needed, according to officials. Productivity Works was assisted in the development of the browser by DeWitt and Associates Interface Consultants and the Thomas Edison State College.
If you would like more information, Productivity Works can be reached on the World Wide Web at this address:
http://www.prodworks.com/