Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

70Project titleContributorsFundingSummaryThe IBM Web Adaptation Technology and accessibilityWorks software trialRichard Denton (Flinders University), David Hobbs, Annabel Gregory, Dr Lloyd Walker• IBM AustraliaIn 2006, NovitaTech was approached by IBM Australia to coordinate a trial of their latestaccessible internet browsing software. The new programs (called Web AdaptationTechnology for Windows machines and accessibilityWorks or aWorks for Linux machines)aimed to increase internet accessibility and usability for people with a disability and theageing by enabling easier and more effective web page navigation.The software allows the user to create a profile and then customise how the computerdisplays web pages, such as allowing the font size to be increased, having the text on apage read aloud, displaying a web page in a single column of text or making the imageseasier to see. Every time the software is used, a user’s profile and unique specificationsare automatically implemented and every web page is presented in the way that has beenspecified through their profile. Multiple settings can be set so that a combination of thefeatures offered can be implemented at any one time. For example, you may choose to viewall web pages in larger font, with wider letter spacing, have the text read aloud to you andhave banner text running across the top of the browser.MethodThe technology trial was coordinated by setting up a number of IBM PC’s with theaccessibilityWorks software pre-loaded in various disability-related partner organisations toenable people to trial and comment on the software. Four trial locations around the Adelaidemetropolitan area were chosen for their ability to provide access to a range of people witha disability in a public environment. Users were prompted to create a profile when theyused the software for the first time, which they could then customise to their special needswhenever they browsed the internet thereafter.After trialing the software for a given period of time, users were asked to complete a shortonline questionnaire that asked specific questions about the software, how it performed andprompted their opinion in terms of suggested changes or modifications. For privacy reasons,the questionnaire could be completed anonymously.In early 2007, the trial was broadened to include families of Novita clients who could trial thesoftware in their homes. This would allow people who use the software on a regular basis athome to provide feedback.ResultsInitial feedback from two partner organisations indicated that the ability to increase thefont size (for readability) and the text-to-speech functionality (for users who cannot readbut understand spoken English), as well as the ability to create a unique user profile that‘followed’ you whenever you used the program, were some of the most beneficial featuresof the software. Of concern to some users was the creation and storage of a ‘user profile’ ona central IBM server, which required logging in and connecting to the internet each time asession began. This proved to be problematic when double-firewalls were encountered (ie inschool settings). A more comprehensive analysis of the trial and software usability will occurwhen all of the feedback from the trial locations is collected.