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Developed at the University of Washington, the software is the first accessibility tool to be hosted on the internet, which means that it doesn't have to be downloaded onto a computer. The service processes text on an external server and then sends the audio file to play a computerised voice in the user's web browser.

Jeffrey Bigham, doctoral student

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in computer science and engineering developed the tool, under the supervision of his professor Richard Ladner. They will demonstrate the software at the US National Federation of the Blind's annual convention in Dallas next week.

"This is for situations where someone who's blind can't use their own computer but still wants access to the internet. At a museum, at a library, at a public kiosk, at a friend's house, at the airport," said Ladner.

The team has revealed that it intends to create updates and allow users to dictate the speed at which text is read out and add more features. The service is currently hosted on a server at the university campus. Bigham believes WebAnywhere could be the first of many web-based accessibility tools.

"Traditional desktop tools such as email, word processors and spreadsheets are moving to the web," he said. "Access technology, which currently runs only on the desktop, needs to follow suit."