24/11/05 - BBC Launches Free Online Web Customisation Resource

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A free online resource helping people with disabilities to access the internet by customising their computer, mouse and keyboard to their individual needs has been launched by the BBC.

My web my way www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility,provides advice in non-technical language on how to use the built-in accessibility features of the three main computer operating systems Windows, Apple Macintosh and Linux. The resource also provides information on add-on assistive technologies.

The service is aimed at people with sensory, motor, and cognitive disabilities of all kinds including "those people with minor vision impairments who would not consider themselves to have a disability," the site says.

"We're finding a wider range of people would benefit. The site is designed for anybody that needs an adjustment in their browser," said Jon Gooday, senior consultant at accessibility charity AbilityNet, which helped the BBC develop the site based on AbilityNet's own similar online resource 'My computer my
way www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway

As part of a plan for future improvements, the site intends to provide information in audible format. Feedback from users is encouraged to help suggest further improvements.

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