The IBM Home Page Reader, a browser plug-in developed by Chieko Asakawa, emerged as the most widely used web-to-speech system during the late 1990s. Born in 1958 in Toyonaka, Japan, Asakawa shifted her career trajectory after losing her sight at the age of fourteen, eventually becoming a prominent computer scientist, researcher, and engineer focused on digital accessibility.
Early Education and Career Path
Asakawa initially pursued a bachelor's degree in English literature at Otemon Gakuin University in Osaka, graduating in 1982. Following this, she completed a two-year computer programming course tailored for visually impaired students, utilizing Optacons to translate print into tactile sensations. In 1984, she joined IBM Research in a temporary capacity, securing a permanent staff position the following year. She later earned a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Tokyo in 2004.
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Asakawa’s professional output includes a diverse range of projects designed to bridge gaps in information access. Her early work focused on Braille document word processors and digital libraries. She later expanded into web navigation, creating tools that allowed blind users to browse the internet via text-to-speech conversion. Her research also encompasses accessibility for streaming services, multimedia control, and systems that allow sighted web designers to experience digital environments from the perspective of blind users. Most recently, she developed a lightweight suitcase robot intended to assist navigation across complex physical terrain.
Recognition and Professional Standing
Asakawa has received significant recognition for her contributions to computer science. In 2009, she became an IBM Fellow, marking her as the first Japanese woman to achieve the company's highest honor. Her awards include the 2003 Women in Technology Hall of Fame induction, the 2011 Anita Borg Institute Women of Vision Award, and the 2013 Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Japanese government. In 2019, she was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and in 2022, she was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Her career has included roles at IBM Research, Carnegie Mellon University, and serving as a museum director.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Toyonaka
- Citizenship: Japan
- Employer: IBM, Carnegie Mellon University, Miraikan
- Ph.D. Engineering: University of Tokyo, 2004
- National Inventors Hall of Fame: 2019
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences: 2022
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the IBM Home Page Reader?
It became the most widely used web-to-speech system for blind users within five years of its 1997 launch.
What academic institutions did Chieko Asakawa attend?
She studied at Otemon Gakuin University for her undergraduate degree and the University of Tokyo for her Ph.D. in engineering.
Achievements
- Women in Technology Hall of Fame — 2003
- National Inventors Hall of Fame — 2019
- Affiliated with IBM, IBM Research and Carnegie Mellon University
- Educated at University of Tokyo and Otemon Gakuin University
- Worked as computer scientist, engineer and programmer
