pwWebSpeak is an Internet browser designed for users who wish to access the Internet in a non-visual or combined auditory and visual way. This includes blind or partially sighted users, people with dyslexia or learning difficulties, and users who are learning new languages.

pwWebSpeak is designed to interact directly with the information on a web page, and to translate it into speech, as well as providing a magnified visual display. The user may navigate through the structure of a document based on its contents: links, headings and paragraphs, rather than having to deal with scrolling and interpreting a complex screen lay-out. The basic format used on the Web is called HTML. The intelligence built into pwWebSpeak understands the HTML constructs and automatically presents them in a logical sequence, greatly simplifying navigation of even complex documents.

With pwWebSpeak, a broad range of users, not only those with disabilities, will have enhanced choice, convenience and control in accessing the information age. The pwWebSpeak browser was designed from the outset to be an accessible easy-to-use speech-based browser.

If you are a visually impaired individual, or are using the software to evaluate sites for accessibility, you may use the software freely, but will not be entitled to support.

Download pwWebSpeak zip file.

If you require the software for use with visually impaired clients and need training or support, then you should register it by purchasing the user licence(s) you need.

PwWebSpeak has the following key functions:

• Simplified presentation of the Web page using speech and screen magnification which includes synchronization of audio and display as well as user controlled font size.
• Simple commands for interacting with the information content of Web Pages as well as automatic recognition of headings, links, forms and other major page attributes.
• Browsing of the structure and links without having to go through the text itself.
• Support for reviewing any element of a page, e.g. a paragraph, one word at a time and being able to spell out, character by character, any word.
• Support for Tables, Client-side images, and Forms to allow full user interaction with applications and search engines on the Web.
• Support for Server-side security.
• Adjustable Reading speeds.
• Support for multiple software speech systems, including Microsoft SAPI.
• Support for special file types and functions including: MAILTO, Audio, Real Audio, Video (audio portion).
• Searching for text within a Web page and a special interface to popular search engines for simplified search across the Web.
• Creation and maintenance of a list of favourite Web pages as well as automatic loading of an initial page on execution.
• Fully accessible History List.
• Support for Proxy Servers.
• Support for browsing Web Pages locally, including following links to local and Web-based pages.
• Support for saving Web pages locally in either HTML or straight text formats.

pwWebSpeak is a Windows program that operates in Windows 95, 98 and Windows NT. It requires approximately 4 megabytes of hard disk space and a recommended minimum of 16 megabytes of main memory. pwWebSpeak includes its own software speech, called SoftVoice, and supports Dectalk Access 32 as well as all SAPI compliant software speech synthesisers. pwwebSpeak requires that you have either a SLIP or PPP Internet connection and access to a dialer if you are not directly connected to the Internet.

For further details and to discuss your particular needs, please contact us in your preferred format: print, braille, tape, disk, email info@soundlinks.com.

SoundLinks Limited,
43 Broadlands Avenue,
Chesham,
Bucks. HP5 1AL,
England.

Tel: +44 (0) 845 666 2849.
Fax: +44 (0) 1494 583 146.

SoundLinks: Sound Solutions linking People with Information