The Newest AT Goes Mainstream
Innovative Access for All Courtesy of IBM
From: AT Journal, April 1, 2003
By: Julie West

Featured technology and technological applications included: accessible
technology that empowers and inspires. For people with mild to moderate motor
control problems or limited coordination, using a keyboard and mouse to
access information can be difficult. IBM is now developing research
technologies to help these people access information more readily -
technologies that can empower them, make them more included in the workplace.
The result could be more productive employees, inspired by their company's
commitment to improved access for everyone. Specific products include: 

    ATOMIK optimizes positions of keys on a virtual keyboard according to
    frequency of use. It increases efficiency and productivity for one-handed
    typists and those not QWERTY skilled. 

    Mouse Smoother smoothes tremor - laden mouse movements and removes many
    of them from cursor motion. It allows users with tremors to position
    cursors on smaller objects than were possible before. 

    Keyboard Optimizer assesses the typing pattern of users. It will adjust
    appropriately to keyboard settings to match user's typing pattern. 

    Self-Calibrating Head Tracker translates head movements into cursor
    movements through a facial movement video image. Head motions navigate
    the screen without requiring manually adjusted accessories. 

    For those with dyslexia, learning disabilities and other cognitive
    impairments, reading and writing can often be daunting and intimidating.
    IBM is developing research technologies to help interpret language and
    make it easier to read and comprehend. These tools can reduce hurdles to
    writing, reading and comprehension. They can help employees perform
    better in their jobs, with increased confidence in their communication.  

    The IBM Easy English Analyzer is one such product delivering this
    service. Other products are innovatively designed to access web
    information, the spoken language, personal information management, and
    display information for individuals seeking additional comfort and
    convenience options or who require adaptations because of a disability.
    These products include higher resolution display information called T221
    Flat Panel Display. This display system provides critical visualization
    applications with astounding clarity and approaches photographic-quality
    realism. Future applications will allow users to display two images
    side-by-side one at an extremely high resolution - to compare a magnified
    version with the original for the visually impaired. This virtual process
    assists individuals with focusing issues.  

    Another IBM asset is e-PIM (e-Personal Information Management) hands free
    access for a remote office and for individuals with mobility issues. It
    gives users access to e-mail, voice-mail, address book and calendar via a
    telephone from almost anywhere at anytime. It utilizes a natural language
    interface with speech recognition and speech synthesis. 

Read the entire story at:
http://www.atnet.org/news/apr03/040102.htm

Contributed by Marsha Allen

