[nfbwatlk] unprecedented step forward in assistive technology

[Paul]

That's cool, I don't plan on switching from xp to vista. I use the Magic 
program and I like it allot. But it is cool that they worked together .

Paul Whipple n7pzr
Vice President Inland Empire Chapter
of the National Federation of the Blind
of Wa.
phone 509/362/3148
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl Jarvis" <carjar at olypen.com>
To: "wcb" <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
Cc: "nfbw" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 5:19 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] unprecedented step forward in assistive technology


AI Squared and GW Micro collaboration----- Original Message ----- 
From:
gw-news at gwmicro.com
To:
gw-news at gwmicro.com
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 3:33 PM
Subject: AI Squared and GW Micro collaboration

A milestone has been set in the assistive technology industry.  Today, Ai
Squared, developer of ZoomText screen magnification software and GW Micro,
developer of Window-Eyes screen reading software announced that both
applications could be installed and run together at the same time on the new
Windows Vista operating system, providing never-before-seen access to a new
operating system for blind and visually impaired consumers.

For those outside of the assistive technology field, many would ask, "Why is
this such a great accomplishment?"  For years, there have been difficulties
trying to make new Windows operating systems accessible to visually impaired
consumers due to problems and compatibility issues.  However today, for the
first time ever, two assistive technology companies collaborated to make
sure that these types of problems are a thing of the past for blind and
visually impaired consumers.

GW Micro recently made history by distributing a version of Window-Eyes
available to all blind consumers that would work under Windows Vista on the
same day that Vista shipped to the general public.  "This is the first time
ever in the history of computers that a full-fledged screen reader is
available to work on a new Windows operating system on the same day that it
ships," said Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development for GW
Micro.  "A blind or visually impaired consumer could go down to their local
electronics store, buy a computer, and have access to it on the same day
Vista came out, just like their sighted counterparts.  This is absolutely
ground-breaking!"

Ai Squared followed closely behind GW Micro, and provided the first screen
magnifier to provide support for Windows Vista.  "We are very pleased to
have met the challenge of providing Vista access to low-vision computer
users," said Jost Eckhardt, Ai Squared's Director of Development.  "It has
been well worth the long and arduous effort developing ZoomText in parallel
with this new operating system."

Behind the scenes, GW Micro and Ai Squared work closely together to make
sure that the two applications will install and run together at the same
time under Windows Vista without problems.  This allows a consumer that has
low vision to use the magnification of ZoomText, and the speech provided by
Window-Eyes.  "As an example, this is an excellent solution for visually
impaired consumers with Retinitis Pigmentosa that need to shift from screen
magnification to speech or Braille output," said Dan Weirich, Vice President
of Sales & Marketing for GW Micro.

"Although our two companies are completely independent of one another, we
feel we are obligated to make new technology accessible to visually impaired
consumers," said Shawn Warren, Director of Product Support.  "That means
that cooperation between the two companies is essential to make sure that
everything works properly."

Ai Squared and GW Micro both agree that their cooperative efforts will
improve the lives of millions of blind and visually impaired people around
the globe.  In today's climate of fierce competition between technology
companies, this collaborative effort between Ai Squared and GW Micro is not
only truly an unprecedented step forward in the assistive technology
industry, but also in the overall landscape of technology.



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