Specialized design of Web search engine for the blind people

Abstract

In this research, Google Website was taken as a Web prototype to get modified. Specialized Search Engine for the Blind (SSEB) was constructed with an accessible interface and some improved functions (i.e., searching assistance functions, user-centered functions, and specialized design for the blind). An experiment was conducted to verify the effect of SSEB. From experimental results, it's significant that users attained better performance in SSEB than in Google. Users also showed higher satisfaction with SSEB.This research proves that the consideration for designing an accessible website for the blind users is very important. It is expected that the users group of SSEB can be expanded to all visual-impaired people in the future. So that all people can keep pace with the changing World Wide Web, and make good use of all the Internet resources without disabilities and limitations. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.