Screen shot of the WebbIE text only browser
Article

WebbIE, the accessible text browser

WebbIE is a free text-only web browser for the visually impaired. WebbIE browses web pages, searches the web, allows for filling in forms, ecommerce, etc.

WebbIE is a freely available text-only web browser for the visually impaired. WebbIE browses web pages, searches the web, allows for filling in forms, ecommerce, and allows for using online email, in a highly-accessible text-only display that works with any screenreader. The software was developed by Dr. Alasdair King, a software developer in England, specializing in accessibility and software for blind, visually- and print-impaired people.

Although there are several keyboard shortcuts for using WebbIE, only a few allow a user to quickly start using the browser: these include  W for web search, TAB for the address box, BACKSPACE for moving back a page, K for removing extraneous links, and of course the ubiquitous ENTER and arrow keys for navigation. When I first started teching the visually impaired, many students were reluctant to use browsers, since the screen reader would indiscriminately read all the extraneous junk on a web page and using a browser was more an exercise in frustration. The result of using WebbIE for these students was that it was difficult to keep them off the web once they used it.

WebbIE enables quick and simple access to the main content on web pages, automatically removing graphics and allowing users to remove the links that can be such a distraction and frustration for the visually impaired.

Features of WebbIE

*One caveat: A web search for WebbIE may yield pages on Webbie, the rapper so search terms should also include the term browser.

 

By George Thompson

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Photo of Kate explaining the tactile telescope model to a high school student.
Guide

Accessible astronomy: Tactile telescope

A smiling child holding a toy eagle
Activity

Bird song book and bird-related activities

EPIQ logo
Event

EPIQ (Experience Programming in Quorum) 2024