In alignment with World Autism Awareness Day, e& has unveiled its latest initiative, the ‘Wider Web’ mobile extension, aimed at providing a tailored, sensory-friendly web-browsing experience for individuals on the autism spectrum. This free-to-use browser extension underscores e&’s unwavering commitment to digital inclusion and accessibility.
The launch of the Wider Web mobile extension follows the successful debut of its desktop counterpart in 2021, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development (MoCD). This groundbreaking solution revolutionized accessibility, empowering individuals with autism to navigate the internet seamlessly. Designed in consultation with local psychologists and extensively tested by users with autism, the extension instantly transforms standard web pages into autism-friendly interfaces.
The Wider Web extension offers a serene browsing experience by blocking distracting pop-ups, disabling video auto-play, customizing fonts, adjusting colours, and simplifying website interfaces. With the addition of an AI-powered summarizer, the mobile extension condenses lengthy articles into digestible paragraphs, further enhancing accessibility and ease of use.
Research conducted by the University of Birmingham Dubai and Dr Shereen Sharaan, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology, underscores the significance of Wider Web in improving the lives of autistic individuals. The study, focusing on 160 autistic adults from diverse backgrounds, revealed that 85 per cent of users prefer to disable video auto-play, emphasizing the need for greater control over digital experiences.
Dr. Shereen Sharaan emphasized the transformative impact of Wider Web, stating, “The web can easily become overwhelming to people with autism. Thanks to e&, Wider Web simplifies the way some people experience the web by curating the user experience for people who are on the autism spectrum.”
Through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives like Wider Web, e& demonstrates its commitment to empowering communities and fostering inclusivity in digital spaces. Wider Web operates as an open-source technology, inviting contributions for continuous improvement and wider adoption.
In launching the Wider Web mobile extension, e& reaffirms its dedication to creating digital solutions that cater to diverse needs, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can access and engage with online content comfortably and confidently.