Learning from Internet Requirements of People with Communication Needs

Abstract

Abstract.A supportive Web browser, developed by the EU WWAAC project, aims to make the Internet easier to use by people with complex communication needs who use graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication. Further user consultations with older users, people with aphasia and people with learning disabilities, specifically with dyslexia, have demonstrated that the ability to personalise Internet software (for example, through the provision of simple summaries of content and the ability to configure the interface to suit individual needs) can potentially provide more accessible and usable interfaces for other user groups.

A web browsing interface for people with severe speech and motor impairment

“…Hanson et al (2005) have provided several software enhancements over the Mozilla browser interface to facilitate people with motor disorders in accessing the Web. One of the significant works worth mentioning is the WWAAC Web browser (Nicolle et al, 2004;Black et al, 2021). The browser interface is integrated with a scanning mechanism that can be easily adopted by the target users; however, they have not proposed any alternate method to navigating the Web page contents, such as clicking over a link or downloading a file.…”

“…The browser interface is integrated with a scanning mechanism that can be easily adopted by the target users; however, they have not proposed any alternate method to navigating the Web page contents, such as clicking over a link or downloading a file. They have also introduced the idea of concept coding framework (Nicolle et al, 2004). Apart from design of alternative browser interfaces mentioned above, number of different access mechanisms has also been developed to enhance the Web browsing experience of SSMI people.…”