We can only hope that one of the manufacturers purchases the rights to the
software and does something with it.  Even then, it is not going to be an
easy transfer.  The manufacturer may not even agree to the terms of the
previous agreement.
_____________________________________________________
Terry Martin -- President
VOILA Technology, Inc.
54 Castle Road
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone:  (585) 321-1451
FAX:  (585) 334-3971
Email:  [log in to unmask]
URL:  http://www.mainaccess.com
____________________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: "Prof Norm Coombs" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 12:44 PM
Subject: Re: Alva ceases development of outspoken and enlarge for mackinto
sh:


> Some of us told Maine officials as they were considering the purchase that
> it was a disaster but no one wanted to listen.  Someone in Maine must have
> got their palm greased in the deal.
> Norm
> At 10:30 AM 6/11/2003 -0400, you wrote:
> >Hi, Kathy.
> >
> >As you may know, the State of Maine purchased Apple iBooks for all public
> >school 7th graders before the lack of a viable screen reader was
understood.
> >In the ensuing hoopla, Apple went to the trouble of bringing an ALVA
> >representative to Maine to explain that ALVA would be developing a screen
> >reader for OSX and that this would allow blind 7th graders to use the
same
> >programs and to participate in the same education activities as their
> >sighted classmates.  The development of that screen reader hasn't yet
> >happened, and it's not clear if ALVA's announcement means that they will
> >cease whatever Macintosh screen reader development work is currently in
> >progress, or if the announcement only applies to future development
> >projects.  At any rate, ALVA's decision certainly isn't encouraging for
> >blind Macintosh computer users.
> >
> >Jon
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Kathleen Cahill [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> >Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 10:16 AM
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Alva ceases development of outspoken and enlarge for
> >mackintosh:
> >
> >
> >This is bad news for Mac users who are blind or visually impaired.....is
> >there any other company stepping in to fill the gap?  And what is Apple
> >doing about this?  Think of all the school systems that utilize Macs --
what
> >will their students do who need these types of assistive technology?
> >
> >Kathy
> >
> >At 09:17 AM 6/11/2003 -0400, you wrote:
> >
> >the full story is at:
> >http://www.aagi.com/news/news.asp?44
> >
> >
> >++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> >Kathy Cahill
> >MIT Adaptive Technology (ATIC) lab
> >77 Mass. Ave. 7-143
> >Cambridge MA 02139
> >(617) 253-5111
> >[log in to unmask]
> >
> ------------------------
>                 EASI Juluy Courses http://easi.cc/workshop.htm
> Beginner Barrier-free Web Design
> Train the Trainer
> ...             .
>                 Norman Coombs
> CEO EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)
> (949) 922-5992 (cell)
>
>