Hi All,

Thought you would want to know about the stuff below.

Pete


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 IBM launches talking web browser for the blind

 Plans to offer Home Page Reader in additional languages announced

 On February 3, IBM announced the availability of a new talking web browser
 that opens the doors of the World Wide Web for blind and visually impaired
 computer users.

 The new software, called Home Page Reader for Windows, provides Internet
 access by speaking aloud the information found on a Web site. The new
 software, available in U.S. English, joins the original Japanese version of
 the product. IBM also announced that it intends to translate Home Page Reader
 into other languages this year.

 IBM reached out to blind people from around the country to test and review
the
 new English version of Home Page Reader while in development. The original
 Japanese version was developed with the help of Chieko Asakawa, a blind
 researcher from IBM's Tokyo Research Laboratory.

 More than 850,000 individuals in the United States are blind, according to
the
 National Federation of the Blind.

 Bringing Internet access to the blind
 Home Page Reader uses IBM's ViaVoice Outloud U.S. English text-to-speech
 technology, and Netscape Navigator to speak Web-based information in a
 complete, clear and easy-to-understand format. The product recognizes HTML
 tags, the programming language used to design Web pages, to accurately
 translate text, tables, graphic descriptions, text in column format and data
 fields, allowing blind users to obtain the same information as sighted users.

 Home Page Reader uses a simple keypad that allows blind users to interact
with
 their computer and easily navigate the Internet. A fast-forward function
 allows users to skim Web pages to locate information quickly. Additionally,
 the software offers an integrated electronic mail feature that allows a user
 to send messages via e-mail.

 Pricing and availability
 Priced at $149, Home Page Reader is available immediately in the United
 States. Additional user licenses can be purchased at $129 each. To order Home
 Page Reader from IBM, customers can call 1-800-426-7630.

 For more information, visit the IBM Special Needs Systems Web site or call
 1-800-426-4832.

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