[gui-talk] Fw: ViewPlus Introduces Imprint - New Braille Printer with Color HP Inkjet

[David Andrews]

In my opinion, View Plus is doing to high-quality Braille what MP3's are doing to good sound.  They are changing the norm for what most people consider acceptable.  In general I think View Plus embossers produce lower quality Braille, however they port4ray it otherwise, and many people accept that.  As they become more successful, we will come to accept inferior Braille.

Don't get me wrong, they have their place, especially for producing graphics and Braille together, but I object to them as portraying them as good high-quality production Braille embossers.  They aren't.

Dave

At 11:24 AM 5/16/2006, you wrote:
>ViewPlus Introduces New Braille Printer with Color HP InkjetThis sounds interesting.
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: ViewPlus Technologies 
>To: Sherri Brun 
>Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:00 AM
>Subject: ViewPlus Introduces EmprintTM - New Braille Printer with Color HP Inkjet
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>      News Release
>      For Immediate Release - May 16, 2006
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>      ViewPlus Introduces EmprintTM - New Braille Printer with Color HP Inkjet
>      Corvallis, Oregon, May 16, 2006-ViewPlus Technologies today announced the release of EmprintT, the world's first Braille printer that embosses Braille with the equivalent color ink. The ability to print Braille and ink in a single-pass will allow people with visual impairments and sighted people to communicate more effectively in the classroom and workplace.
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>      As more Braille readers join the mainstream, the need for communication between sighted and blind people grows. EmprintTM allows Braille documents to be shared amongst sighted colleagues and teachers by printing the corresponding ink characters above or beside the Braille.
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>      Anything that is seen on a computer screen is printed quickly in Braille and color ink, together or separately. People who are blind can print Braille for their personal use and an ink version for their sighted colleagues. Using a single printer saves them valuable workspace and money. 
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>      "With our limited resources and space, a printer that doubles as both a Braille printer and typical ink printer is the perfect solution," states Jerry Kuns, a technology coordinator at the California School for the Blind. "More than anything I like the fact that EmprintTM creates raised, color graphics usable by all our students."
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>      People with low-vision and others who may not read Braille can also use the tactile and ink features for better comprehension of spatial material. Adding color to a raised image makes materials, like tactile maps or diagrams, more engaging for low-vision and learning disabled students. Studies have shown that a combined tactile and visual/color interface makes a stronger connection with the brain than vision alone, improving the learning process.
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>      EmprintTM uses the familiar interface of Microsoft Office to create Braille and ink documents that can be printed in a single-pass. Braille text can be printed in a wide variety of languages. Ink text can be printed in any size, color or font the user chooses. Tactile graphics, like maps and bar charts, are printed with raised lines and color ink. The height of raised lines and objects is determined by their visual equivalent: the darker the color or shade, the higher the relief in that area.
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>      The ink cartridges and paper used in the printer can be found at any local office supply store. The types of paper can range from normal copy paper to traditional weight Braille paper. EmprintTM retails for US$5995 and includes: printer, ink and Braille translation software. For more information or to purchase, contact your local ViewPlus distributor or contact ViewPlus directly by email, sales at viewplus.com or call 541.754.4002.
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>      ViewPlus Technologies, Inc. is a private firm that develops and manufactures hardware and software for people with sensory disabilities, including people who are blind, low-vision and learning disabled. For more information please visit the ViewPlus website, www.viewplus.com, email, info at viewplus.com, or call 541.754.4002.
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>      ViewPlus worked with Hewlett-Packard Specialty Printing Systems to incorporate color HP Inkjet into their Tiger® Braille printer line. This is the second venture into Braille and ink by ViewPlus that uses HP Inkjet cartridges inside.
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>      For more information contact:
>      Cari Stieglitz
>      541.760.4668
>      info at viewplus.com
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