Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All

Citation

Hepworth, M. (2001), "Adaptive Technology for the Internet: Making Electronic Resources Accessible to All", Library Management, Vol. 22 No. 1/2, pp. 103-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm.2001.22.1_2.103.11

Despite having extensive experience in user interface design in the commercial online and CD‐ROM world I must admit I came to the topic of adaptive technology a relative novice. Bearing that in mind I found the book invaluable in that it provided a practical overview of the technology that is available and what can be done in terms of enabling access.

The book starts with background information on the characteristics of people who may find adaptive technology useful. These include people who have visual impairments, are blind, have mobility impairments, have hearing impairments or experience deafness. A chapter on interface design focusing on areas that are important to such people follows. This section although useful provides only a brief overview of interface design criteria. For those readers who are particularly interested in this area books specifically on interface design would be more appropriate. One thing I found particularly interesting to note was that software is available that will audit one’s Web site and provide data on whether it has problems from the point of view of impaired access.

The book then covers the main areas of impairment and discusses their implications in terms of information access. In addition a review is given of the more common packages and technology that are available. The following sections are included:

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  “Large print packages” that can increase font size are reviewed. In addition it is noted that good lighting and signage to the machine is essential but may be overlooked.

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  “Hearing the Internet” which includes speech output.

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  “Touching the Internet” which covers Braille output.

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  “Hearing impairment” which includes methods for making the voice easier to hear, coding systems for quick interpersonal communication as well as virtual meeting software. The latter can encompass the transmission of voice, video and the use of a whiteboard to exchange ideas.

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  “Input devices” which include the use of specialised key boards or switching devices to enable people who are physically impaired to use the computer.

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  Lastly, stand‐alone systems that enable text to speech conversion are discussed.

In general I found it exciting to read what was possible. Using adaptive technology should enable a wide range of people to access the Internet and use computers. It should be noted however that the majority of packages that were reviewed were North American in origin.

Following the review of available software and technology the book gives some practical, common sense, guidance for planning the adoption of adaptive technology in the library, getting funding, staff training and how to effectively announce that your library has improved access.

Finally, an appendix is provided containing mostly North American useful Web sites, a list of vendors and a list of special libraries with adaptive programs. In addition a glossary and a bibliography are provided.

I found this book provided a useful insight into what was possible in terms of making the Internet and computers in general more accessible to people who have impairments. This book would be useful for people who are providing a physical space where people come to use computer technology and access information. It would also provide useful information for information service providers who want to make sure that their service can integrate with adaptive technologies.