08/05/96 THIS NEW BROWSER CAN READ FROM THE NET--ALOUD

THIS NEW BROWSER CAN READ FROM THE NET--ALOUD

PRODUCTIVITY WORKS IN in Trenton, N.J., has developed a Web browser program for people who are visually impaired or dyslexic. Called pwWebSpeak, the software can ``speak'' the contents of a selected Web page as well as display the page in various sizes of large type. It also can drive Braille output devices including printers and ``displays''--rows of pins that recreate Braille characters so the visually impaired can ``read'' one line at a time with their fingertips.
To read the Web pages faster, the software automatically recognizes and bypasses various nontext items such as graphics. Designed to run on PCs using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 operating systems, pwWebSpeak sells for $250 to commercial customers, but educational and government institutions will be charged only half that, the company says. The first college to choose pwWebSpeak for campuswide use is Thomas Edison State College, also located in Trenton. The school specializes in teaching adults through online classes.
EDITED BY PAUL M. ENG By John Verity