IBM Makes Computing More Accessible to Maturing Workers

IBM Makes Computing More Accessible to Maturing Workers

IBM today unveiled new technologies aimed at helping businesses create a work environment more conducive to maturing workers’ comfort and productivity. The software makes information technology more accessible to those with age-related disabilities and other physical limitations.
IBM’s new software tools, developed by IBM researchers who specialize in creating technologies to help people with disabilities and the maturing workforce, can help businesses cater to employees that wish to stay on the job despite physical impairments. For example, the technologies allow aging workers to increase the size of text on their screen, have the computer read the text aloud, and make the keyboard easier to use. Additionally, IBM is reaching out to the world’s close to 11 million software developers, launching a new online resource to make it easier for developers to build applications that include accessibility features.

The new technologies are available for download in a new accessibility section on IBM’s alphaWorks Web site, a strategic outlet for emerging technologies created in IBM’s research and development labs worldwide. The accessibility section will host the new and existing accessibility technologies, as well as articles and tutorials to help drive accessibility skills among the global developer community.Today’s news follows IBM’s recent announcement of business consulting services that help companies prepare for the baby-boomer transition by understanding their employee base in real-time, retaining employees, transitioning knowledge and transforming business processes to cope with the demographic change and significant skill shift. Additionally, IBM recently announced its contribution of accessibility software to the Mozilla Foundation’s open standards-based Firefox Web browser, as well as an IBM offering to universities that gives faculty and students a free license to a disability simulator that helps Web designers ensure that their Web pages are accessible and usable by the visually impaired.

Read the complete Press Release