Microsoft and GW Micro Team Up to Offer Window-Eyes Free to Office Users

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/files/2014/01/Window-Eyes-icon-.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/files/2014/01/Window-Eyes-icon-.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/">GW Micro</a>, the makers of the Window-Eyes screen reader, has teamed up with technology giant <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbdmtech.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fadd-quick-text-to-speech-button-to.html&ei=f0TcUpS7KdSlsQS8uIGoCw&usg=AFQjCNF8MxkoFW42nhBfkt3tiCOyjIGeVQ&sig2=VguMGICdYKjWjq8D5aAPBw&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cWc">Microsoft</a> to offer Windows-Eyes to Microsoft Office 2010 and newer users for free. Windows-Eyes can read elements on the screen aloud allowing the blind, low-vision, and print disabled to have full access to their Windows PC. Window-Eyes can also output on-screen content to a Braille display for users who prefer Braille. This new partnership will increase the affordability of Window-Eyes and allow more people to benefit from its features. Window-Eyes normally costs almost $900 while Microsoft Office costs far less. GW Micro and Microsoft believe this new partnership will allow millions of new users to access their computers using Window-Eyes. Rob Sinclair, Microsoft's Chief <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbdmtech.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F10%2Famazon-improves-accessibility-features.html&ei=ykTcUqDeI_DKsQSSnIGgBg&usg=AFQjCNFHJZk42Wb2t-gFdCCKuwe2MtgWzA&sig2=Zy-KgcJgXKCHzwJyG53GxA&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cWc">Accessibility</a> Officer says the following about this new program,</div><blockquote class="tr_bq">"By partnering with GW Micro in this endeavor we are demonstrating Microsoft's onging commitment to provide all of our customers with the technology and tools to help each person be productive in both their work and personal lives."</blockquote>This announcement is very significant in the world of assistive technology. This deal will allow millions of users to increase the usability of their computers for free if they already own Microsoft Office. Owners of Microsoft Office 2010 or higher can download Window-Eyes by visiting <a href="http://windoweyesforoffice.com/">WindowEyesForOffice.com</a> and following the instructions on screen.

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Amazon, Sony, and Kobo Don't Want to Make Their E-Readers Accessible

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chipkidd.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/kobo-nook-sony-kindle-ebook-readers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="176" src="http://chipkidd.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/kobo-nook-sony-kindle-ebook-readers.jpg" title="Image of readers with skull and cross bones" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://icannwiki.com/images/1/10/Fcclogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="75" src="http://icannwiki.com/images/1/10/Fcclogo.gif" title="FCC logo" width="75" /></a>Some of the top names in the <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/06/e-reader-show-down-kindle-vs-nook-vs.html">e-reader</a> market are asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to waive the <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/06/ios-7-accessibility-overview-what-we.html">accessibility</a> requirements for their devices. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/10/is-kindle-fire-accessible.html">Amazon</a>, Sony, and Kobo have all petitioned the FCC to waive the accessibility requirement for their e-readers. They do not want to have to make their devices "accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities."<br /><br />The FCC requires advanced communication services (ACS) to be accessible to people with disabilities. The e-reader companies are arguing that their devices do not fall under the ACS classification because they are dedicated to <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/04/smart-ebook-interface-makes-navigation.html">e-book</a> reading. The three companies also claim that adding <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/ios-5-camera-accessibility.html">accessibility</a> features would decrease battery life, increase cost and increase bulk. They claim in the FCC document,<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">"<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 21.4375px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rendering ACS accessible on e-readers would require fundamentally altering the devices and it may not be possible to meet that requirement and maintain e-readers as inexpensive mobile reading devices, and yet the necessary changes, if they were made, would not yield a meaningful benefit to individuals with disabilities. It’s not merely cost but the very nature of a specialized e-reader device that is at issue."</span></span></blockquote>Disabilities rights advocates content that because e-readers are not only being used for leisure, but also education the devices should be required to be accessible. Furthermore, Amazon has over a 100 million Kindle-exclusive titles according to the <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/08/28/amazons-kindle-exclusive-books-surge-past-100-million-mark/">Wall Street Journal</a>. If <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2013/05/kindle-app-for-ios-updated-with.html">Kindle</a>s are not usable by the blind and people with other disabilities such as dyslexia they are shut out from this content.<br /><br />It is questionable if adding accessibility features will really slow down and bulk up e-readers as the companies claim. A more realistic possibility is that the companies see adding accessibility features as an unwanted cost and challenge. Instead of requesting waivers from the government these e-reader companies should focus on making devices that are usable to the masses. Adding accessibility feature to devices is important and benefits the consumer as well as the company. With accessibility features e-readers can be purchased in public school, there are more potential customers, and the public will view the company in a better light.<br /><br />The FCC is requesting the public's input in this matter through Tuesday, September 3. People interested in making a comment can do so by <a href="http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=1yu81">clicking here.</a> The full petition can be read <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/document/petition-waiver-access-acs-services-and-equipment-0">here</a>.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Amazon's newest Kindle Fire HD and Kindle Fire HDX include new accessibility features. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000632481">Click here</a> to learn more about the new accessibility features.

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Bookshare Releases Web Reader

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H876E0RBiXw?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /></div><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Bookshare's new web reader:0" grmarkguid="030bd9aa-8dc2-4df6-972b-fd061d900a5b" gruiphraseguid="cfe799a6-c121-493e-a56b-db166a16a9ed"><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Bookshare's new web reader:0" grmarkguid="030bd9aa-8dc2-4df6-972b-fd061d900a5b" gruiphraseguid="cfe799a6-c121-493e-a56b-db166a16a9ed"><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Bookshare's new web reader:0" grmarkguid="1f9d2595-a9e9-4968-ae3d-30e139d5a89a" gruiphraseguid="07576163-c5fa-4bb2-87bc-470a29bee52e"><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><a href="http://bookshare.org/"></a><span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="Bookshare's new web reader:0" grmarkguid="1f9d2595-a9e9-4968-ae3d-30e139d5a89a" gruiphraseguid="07576163-c5fa-4bb2-87bc-470a29bee52e"><a href="http://bookshare.org/">Bookshare's</a> new web reader</span></span></span></span> allows members to read through a browser and eliminates the need to download books. The web reader also allows members to read any of <a href="http://bookshare.org/">Bookshare's</a> 177,000 books on a library or school computer without having special software installed.<br /><br />Bookshare is a <span class="GRcorrect" grcontextid="free:0" grmarkguid="632156fb-6897-4390-9426-26758e87c9b2" gruiphraseguid="1b8f683a-6c46-4550-9c7a-062c238a852a">free</span> accessible ebook library for people with <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/10/instapaper-updated-to-include-dyslexia.html">print disabilities</a>. To learn if you qualify and how to join <a href="https://www.bookshare.org/_/membership/overview?j_logOut=true">click here</a>. Once you're signed in with your <a href="http://bookshare.org/">Bookshare</a> account you can access the web reader via your bookshelf or the search page. When you search for a book you can click on the "read now" link to open the book in the web reader or you can add it to your bookshelf. From the bookshelf you can click the "read now" link as well. The web reader offers features such as text-to-speech with highlighting, nighttime reading mode, adjustable <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/add-quick-text-to-speech-button-to.html">text-to-speech </a>speed, table of contents, and go-to-page options. Bookshare recommends sighted members use the Google Chrome browser for improved text-to-speech and visually impaired members use Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox for improved screen reader usability.<br /><br />Click read more below to view screenshots of the web reader in action.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PoBxo8qwHHxp5enXCtN8BhMKrzr5vvJXe_7UnEtLppA85ZnvujlPaH5MwflKpBzwZmwB6bvssS7MJ3xWRi1I8xqi8QOpTC8h5baSXdUW3KNLuFf39ekynEJeqJdt4eodZlS6MIil-qU/s1600/web1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PoBxo8qwHHxp5enXCtN8BhMKrzr5vvJXe_7UnEtLppA85ZnvujlPaH5MwflKpBzwZmwB6bvssS7MJ3xWRi1I8xqi8QOpTC8h5baSXdUW3KNLuFf39ekynEJeqJdt4eodZlS6MIil-qU/s400/web1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-uVqhXu582l-Nbts5f7NbNTVuXYK-ppT21ZjOaWwVUWAf4DZtW8YzrJWlZ67mBcHkoAp62txlwg1E1z-mimAqsJosJnjohvWBD05Kf8RcKaG-ugeRGPyQ5B-GrGLvrtW29wIolPv0kc/s1600/web3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-uVqhXu582l-Nbts5f7NbNTVuXYK-ppT21ZjOaWwVUWAf4DZtW8YzrJWlZ67mBcHkoAp62txlwg1E1z-mimAqsJosJnjohvWBD05Kf8RcKaG-ugeRGPyQ5B-GrGLvrtW29wIolPv0kc/s400/web3.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd1Gbrc6_A8l0X5j4pVslVILZj6PkciSL0fYy_maBFyivvp36F2mH9O1GEEFgPz2hgmh9Yr1OhdC-0bF7OEqWVehKcLCY_76dn6rJk32xIKrbGri7wh8DYVLvQiCpD320s7r6wAaRUco/s1600/web2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd1Gbrc6_A8l0X5j4pVslVILZj6PkciSL0fYy_maBFyivvp36F2mH9O1GEEFgPz2hgmh9Yr1OhdC-0bF7OEqWVehKcLCY_76dn6rJk32xIKrbGri7wh8DYVLvQiCpD320s7r6wAaRUco/s400/web2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii

Back To School Apps

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theapptimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Back-to-School-Apps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="216" src="http://theapptimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Back-to-School-Apps.png" title="Back to school apps" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The start of school is just around the corner. Teachers, students and parents are preparing for another year. Below is a list of <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">iPhone</a>, <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/kurzweil-3000-firefly-ipad-app-released.html">iPad</a> and <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/05/flipboard-updated-to-support-voiceover.html">iPod Touch</a> apps that could be helpful for the upcoming school year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/read2go/id425585903?mt=8"><b>Read2Go (Bookshare) - $19.99</b></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174718_177614625589689_7286392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174718_177614625589689_7286392_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/read2go-review.html">Read2Go</a> is the best way to access <a href="http://bookshare.org/">Bookshare.org</a> books on your <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/enhanced-google-voice-search-coming-to.html">iOS</a> device. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-bookshare-app-for-android.html">Bookshare</a> provides free accessible eBooks for people with print disabilities. Click here to learn more about <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-bookshare-app-for-android.html">Bookshare</a>. Once you download the app you can download over 150,000 books directly to your device. The best part of <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-bookshare-app-for-android.html">Read2Go</a> is that students can easily read books anywhere because of the portability of <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/enhanced-google-voice-search-coming-to.html">iOS</a> devices. To learn how to become a member <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CEYQFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bookshare.org%2FmembershipOptions&ei=kIYxUJidK6mU7AHDgoH4BA&usg=AFQjCNGbu_U5190iDGKgKBI8-nKKbdoGyA&sig2=speNe5mfkBQgof1tekTeAQ">click here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learning-ally-audio/id418888450?mt=8">Learning Ally Audio - Free</a></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://edtechtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/learning_ally_audio_app_icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://edtechtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/learning_ally_audio_app_icon.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/learning-ally-audio-app-now-free.html">Learning Ally</a> (formally <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/06/learning-ally-recorded-books-formally.html">RFB&D</a>) provides audio books to people with print disabilities. Members must pay a yearly fee in order to download books. To learn about how to become a member of Learning Ally <a href="http://learningally.org/">click here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prizmo/id366791896?mt=8"><b>Prizmo - $9.99</b></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.evernote.com/about/media/img/partners/logos/prizmo-175.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.evernote.com/about/media/img/partners/logos/prizmo-175.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">Prizmo</a> converts a picture of a document into text which can be read using <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2011/12/add-quick-text-to-speech-button-to.html">text-to-speech</a>. In short from document to text to speech in just seconds. <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">Prizmo</a> is also the fastest and most accurate optical character recognition (<a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/prizmo-vs-textdetective-ocr-iphone-app.html">OCR</a>) app I have every tested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8">iBooks - Free</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://askabouttech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ibooks-icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://askabouttech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ibooks-icon.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/apple-announces-ibooks-2-with-textbook.html">iBooks</a> is <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/06/apple-announces-dictation-for-mac.html">Apple's</a> eReader app. It is simple to use and accessible using <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/05/flipboard-updated-to-support-voiceover.html">VoiceOver</a>. With iBook Textbooks students and teachers can download select textbooks onto their <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/07/kurzweil-3000-firefly-ipad-app-released.html">iPad</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-apps.html"><span id="goog_172609289"></span>The list goes on, click read more below to view more great apps.</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><b></b></a></div><span id="goog_172609290"></span><br /><a name="more"></a><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/itunes-u/id490217893?mt=8">iTunes U - Free</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ihackthatifone.com/wp-content/uploads/pth/loop/thumb_itunes-u-app-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ihackthatifone.com/wp-content/uploads/pth/loop/thumb_itunes-u-app-icon.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-itunes-u-app-perfect-for-students.html">iTunes U</a> allows you to follow along with select classes from your <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-itunes-u-app-perfect-for-students.html">iOS</a> device. You can download classes from top universities and watch videos of the classes and read documents provided by the professor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/khan-academy/id469863705?mt=8">Khan Academy - Free</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://otswithapps.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/khan-academy-icon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://otswithapps.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/khan-academy-icon.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Great videos that walk you through many concepts from almost all subject. This app is great for homework help and learning new concepts. To learn more about <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/03/khan-academy-releases-ipad-app.html">Khan Academy</a> <a href="http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/2012/03/khan-academy-releases-ipad-app.html">click here</a>.</div>

Diposting oleh Abdullah Syafii