What makes a good search engine for the visually impaired

Discussion in 'All Other Search Engines' started by schmidte, Aug 15, 2007.

  1. #1
    I'm playing around with the old Google API and I'd like to build a search tool that is user friendly for the visually impaired.

    I need suggestions from visually impaired DP'ers or if you know anyone who is visually impaired, ask them what would be some features that they would like in order to easily comprehend search results.

    Things I need to know:
    Is dark lettering on a light background better than light lettering on a dark background.
    Is a particular font easier to read
    What is the best text size

    Here's what I have so far:
    http://www.smallmouthbass.biz/google4/google2/google/PHPgoogleSearch_blind.php

    Any suggestions would be helpful.

    ED
     
    schmidte, Aug 15, 2007 IP
  2. schmidte

    schmidte Peon

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    #2
    I've updated it using the Yahoo API and it's own domain name.

    Visually Impaired-Search Engine
    www.VI-SE.com

    Some of the implemented features that help the visually impaired:
    Uses a special font called APHont (website)
    Color contrasts are within W3C guidelines
    Has a Magnify Option that works in IE
    Uses Access Keys (alt+ tab, etc) in IE
    Large text and text boxes
    No ads
    Fast Yahoo results
    Web & News Results on the same page
    Each result has a link to a Text Only version of the web page
    Few Graphics

    If anyone knows of any other features that would benifit the visually impaired, please post them.

    Thanks,
    ED
     
    schmidte, Sep 1, 2007 IP
  3. Phantom-DXH

    Phantom-DXH Peon

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    #3
    that looks pretty cool. I have one small suggestion to make though, results could be more spaced out. It would be easier to read through the search results.
     
    Phantom-DXH, Sep 2, 2007 IP
  4. schmidte

    schmidte Peon

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    #4
    Thanks for the suggestion, I doubled the spacing.
    ED
     
    schmidte, Sep 2, 2007 IP
  5. FreakyLime

    FreakyLime Guest

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    #5
    May I suggest the font Verdana?
    Now I'm not visually impaired, but Verdana is very nice and smooth and easy to read...

    Other then that, Good idea. Hope it works for you.
     
    FreakyLime, Sep 2, 2007 IP
  6. schmidte

    schmidte Peon

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    #6
    I changed the four links in each result to Vedana, the other fonts I'm going to leave as APHonts cause they are easily read by the visually impaired. If you don't have APHonts installed, the fonts will probably go to whatever your default font is in your browser.

    Thanks for the suggestion....

    ED
     
    schmidte, Sep 3, 2007 IP
  7. postelwait

    postelwait Member

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    #7
    cool tool, cool idea, and cool domain.
     
    postelwait, Sep 10, 2007 IP
  8. Divisive Cottonwood

    Divisive Cottonwood Peon

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    #8
    Divisive Cottonwood, Sep 11, 2007 IP