Universal Internet Access Project

There are many Internet users who require adaptive technologies which modify their work stations to enable access. Voice recognition systems, voice synthesizers and alternate keyboards are a few examples of the enabling technologies used by today's computer users who have disabilities.

But how is enabling technology, often an add-on to most computer systems, able to work with other more standard interfaces such as the common Internet Web browsers? What if users need to manipulate their browser functions exclusively with a keyboard, rather than a mouse? Information on how access technologies work with the Internet can be scarce. Users with disabilities have often relied on their own trial and error methods to access the widest repository of electronic information now available - the Internet.

The information contained in this site hopes to eliminate some of this trial and error. It is a joint venture between the Diversity Management Directorate (DMD) of the Public Service Commission of Canada and the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) of the Information Commons, University of Toronto. On these pages you will find information such as:

• keyboard equivalents for some of the most popular Web browsers;
• the strengths and weaknesses characteristic of some adaptive technologies in controlling browser functions
• the customization required for effective use of enabling technology products with identified web browsers.

How to Use This Site

The Table of Contents on the next page will guide you to three principle areas:

• enabling technologies
• browsers
• platforms

Use these hyper-links to branch off into one of these streams and find the information you require.

This joint project began in March 1st, 1996 with the ATRC performing the research and the testing of the adaptive technologies and browsers, as well as the documentation of findings. DMD facilitated and supported this project throughfunding the ATRC in this endeavour. We are now happy to bring you this information in a manner that is as user friendly as possible through HTML 2.0. If you have any questions or comments about this site, or the information on it, please direct your queries to the contact information provided below. The Diversity Management Directorate and the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoy our web site.

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