# ![](media/image1.png){width="1.4902777777777778in" height="1.3277777777777777in"}

# 

# 

# 

# 

# 

# Accessibility AT AOL 

America Online has recently made some exciting progress in our mission
to provide our members with the most accessible Internet experience
possible. From launching a pioneering initiative that brought online
captions to the web, to unveiling an accessible, low-cost Internet
service, to telephone-based e-mail, AOL continues to strive to deliver
solutions and innovations that help bring the power of the Internet to
all.

AOL\'s vision for accessibility is driven by the company's Accessibility
Policy, a cross-company directive rooted in the belief that the Internet
and AOL should be friendly and easy-to-use for all customers.

One lynchpin of our achievements has been our work with the AOL
Accessibility Advisory Committee, a cross-disability group of renowned
advocacy leaders and technology experts who provide advice and strategic
counsel on a range of accessibility issues.  Members include
representatives from The National Association of the Deaf, Gallaudet
University, Telecommunications for the Deaf Inc., the WGBH National
Center for Accessible Media, National Federation of the Blind, AARP,
American Association of People With Disabilities and other renowned
cross-disability organizations.

Some recent accessibility highlights at AOL include:

Netscape Internet Service: Just the Net you need, the new affordably
priced Netscape Internet service, which was designed with accessibility
considerations in mind, offers people with disabilities a reliable and
low-cost alternative to get online.  At just \$9.95 a month, the service
offers unlimited dial-up connection, web-based e-mail and support for
use of standard POP3 e-mail software, and a robust search product.  

**AOL Online Captions:** In late 2003, AOL became the first commercial
Internet service provider to offer online captions for select news and
entertainment video content and AOL member education tutorials. Visit
AOL Keyword: Accessibility for information about where to find streaming
content with closed captions on AOL.

AOL Communicator: Set to launch in 2004, AOL Communicator is a suite of
stand-alone applications featuring e-mail software, an easy-to-use
Instant Message tool, and a player for accessing <Radio@AOL> - the
top-rated radio site on the web offering 175 stations of streaming
music, news, sports and talk programming, and other applications. Best
of all, AOL Communicator offers accessibility-friendly features
including: ability to access multiple AOL and other e-mail accounts,
robust keyboard support, comprehensive support of Windows operating
system accessibility features, compatibility with leading screen reader
and magnification programs including JAWS and ZoomText.

**AOLByPhone:** AOLByPhone, an audio-based service, offers convenient
access to e-mail that is as close as the nearest telephone.  Members
simply dial a toll-free number to retrieve their e-mails via the phone. 
They can also send and reply to e-mail messages via voice, access free
411 directory assistance or get information that\'s relevant to their
daily lives, such as news headlines, financial, sports and weather
information. 

**AOL Keyboard Overlays:** Custom keyboard overlays, designed for the
IntelliKeys keyboard through a partnership with Intellitools, provide
alternative, more accessible keyboard solutions for AOL members with
physical or cognitive disabilities. The overlays incorporate words,
phrases, graphics, and icons in a clear and easy-to-navigate format,
making interaction with AOL's E-mail and Instant Message features more
efficient and fun.

**AOL Keyword: Accessibility:** AOL Keyword: Accessibility provides a
central location where members can find tips and hints about the
accessibility features of AOL products and services as well as general
information about AOL\'s accessibility efforts.

For further information on America Online and Accessibility, please
contact Tom Wlodkowski, Director of Accessibility at:

703-265-1999 (voice)

703-265-6677 (TTY)

e-mail- <tomwlodkowski@aol.com>