IBM's Web Adaptation Technology has been named Product of the Year for 2002 by the National Business and Disability Council (NBDC). The NBDC Awards of Honor recognize corporations and individuals that exemplify the goal of promoting opportunities for persons with disabilities as employees and consumers.
The award will be presented during the 25th annual NBDC conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., on April 7-9, 2003.
At this time, this technology is only available to qualified nonprofit organizations through IBM's Corporate Community Relations' Web Adaptation Technology Grants Program. For additional information on this initiative, please contact Neil Callaghan by mail at IBM Corporation, New Orchard Road, Armonk NY 10504, phone (914) 499-4690, or e-mail neilc@us.ibm.com.
What is Web Adaption Technology?
Despite standards for Web accessibility, many Web pages remain difficult to use. IBM Research is investigating a method of making Web pages accessible without requiring the use of assistive technologies.
Through a standard browser, users will have the ability to access Web pages reformatted in a manner most usable by them.
Web Adaptation Technology transforms the results of HTTP requests using a combination of both client and server technologies, taking advantage of the major strengths of each. Key features of the technology are:
- Dynamic manipulation of Web content - no need to rewrite pages
- Transformations in combination - addresses users who have multiple limitations
- Portable personal preferences - placed on a server, transformations can be accessed from any computer with no special devices required
- Easy-to-use interface - accommodates users new to computing