WAB makes web-surfing easier for blind and visually impaired computer users. WAB STANDS AS A FILTER BETWEEN THE GRAPHIC ENHANCED HTML ENVIRONMENT AND THE LOW- TO- NO VISION USERS OF STANNDARD OFF- THE- SHELF W3 BROWSERS, [such as Netscape and Explorer]. Information structured in HTML documents is transformed on the fly, into a non- graphic text format, that can be read easier by the visually impaired and their speech programs.

It is assumed that the blind computer users already have a screen reader and are already familiar with a W3- browser of their choice. WAB works with every W3- browser and every screen reader. No additional software has to be installed on the user's computer.

WAB functions because a transformer is inserted at the WAB- Server location and the W3- browser at the user's location. The transformer modifies each document to reflect its structure clearer of graphics. Fortunately, WAB does not have to build from scratch. A proxy server is the ideal environment for the WAB service. Thus the European, and North American WAB site servers were modified to provide this additional functionality. The process of fetching a document has 6 automatic steps:

1. The user activates a link and the browser sends the request to the proxy.

2. The proxy forwards the request to the appropriate server.

3. The server sends the original document.

4. The original document is passed on to our transformer and transformed.

5. The modified document is passed back to the proxy.

6. The proxy sends the modified document to the user. In implementation, the transformer is not a separate piece of software but integrated into the proxy server code.

As a low- to- no vision user, you don't have to install anything besides your W3- browser and screen reader. Look in the User's Manual to find step - by - step instructions on how you can set up your browser for this service.

WANT TO TRY IT: If you want to feel the result?
For North America or Europe

Choose the WAB Site nearest your location, or the area you will browse. TransAtlantic Transmissions slow the process. Flush your cache and start browsing. Remember to pick and choose your WAB sites carfully, a few trips back and forth around the world, and across the oceans, will slow anyone down! Otherwise, you and your browser may not notice any speed change. What you lose in transmission may be made - up by faster text loading.

If you like the WAB Service ... support the WAB Server! Send letters of support and appreciation. If you have access to a WEB PROXY SERVER, add the WAB Proxy to your server. All the necessary documentation and installation instructions are publically available, at no cost, on line. The documentation is at: http://www.inf.ethz.ch/department/IS/ea/blinds/

The WAB Development Project, technical assistance, is no longer directly supported. However questions and request for assistance can be directed to the developer:

Louis Perrochon ........ fon:+41 1 632 7282
Informationssysteme .... fax:+41 1 632 1172
ETH Zentrum, IFW ....... perrochon@acm.org
CH-8092 Zürich ......... http://db.stanford.edu/~perrocho/