IBM Human Centric Solutions Center

• 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

IBM 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.

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.

The Home Page Reader Speech Settings help the user easily recognize different elements on a Web page such as headings, links and list items.

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.

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

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.

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.

IBM Home Page Reader helps open the World Wide Web to users who are blind or have low vision. With its many customization features and voice-prompted installation, Home Page Reader is a powerful Web access program. Download a complimentary trial

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