Hi,
The cell phone is accessible. It is a PDA with a built-in cell. You access
the cell part for talking with an hands-free earpiece or a built-in
speakerphone.
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kelly Pierce" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: News Release
> I should point out that they don't commit to specifying how this cell
> phone is "accessible" to the blind and which particular features and
> functions can be used by a blind person and how someone with a visual
> impairment could use this phone. I remain highly skeptical about this
> solution until the executives of this company decide to provide more
> information than the vague and unsubstantiated promises offered here.
>
> Kelly
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Poehlman" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 7:09 AM
> Subject: Fw: News Release
>
>
> > News Release
> >
> >
> > FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >
> >
> > Contact:
> > Leanne Hartman
> > 510-914-0308 [log in to unmask]
> > Booths 277/278
> > Marriott Exhibit Hall
> >
> >
> > ALVA Introduces the ALVA MPOTM, Mobile Phone Organizer
> > First accessible integrated cellular phone and personal organizer on
> display
> > this week at CSUN in Los Angeles
> >
> > Los Angeles, Calif. - March 19, 2003 - ALVA B.V., a leading provider of
> > assistive information technology for the blind and visually-impaired,
> > announced the ALVA MPO, Mobile Phone Organizer, the assistive
> technology
> > industry's first fully-integrated cellular phone and personal
> organizer.
> >
> > The ALVA MPO offers all the key features traditional cellular phone and
> PDA
> > (personal digital assistant) users have come to expect, with additional
> > features incorporated for blind and visually impaired users. With 20
> > braille cells, an 8-dot Braille keyboard, a high quality speech
> synthesizer,
> > and ALVA's Smart-ControlTM user interface, the MPO is unique in design
> and
> > functionality.
> >
> > Other key features include:
> >
> > * Fully accessible tri-band GSM cellular phone;
> > * Essential notetaker;
> > * SMS text messaging;
> > * Agenda planner;
> > * Alarm;
> > * Calculator.
> >
> > Upcoming, product features will include email, Internet browser, GPS
> (Global
> > Positioning System), Daisy reader, and an MP3 player and will be
> released as
> > optional software upgrades in phases beginning in Q3.
> >
> > While leading vendors of cellular phones and PDAs offer some of these
> > features in their current product line-ups, ALVA is the first
> manufacturer
> > to develop a device for handheld specifically for blind and visually
> > impaired users. The ALVA MPO interface and features are based on
> research
> > into the needs of blind and visually impaired technology users. ALVA's
> > nearly 20 years of experience working with this customer group provides
> an
> > unparalleled knowledge base for developing the MPO.
> >
> > "The ALVA MPO represents a real break-through in mobile communication,
> data
> > access, and organization for our customers," said Eric Weldink, ALVA
> > president and CEO. " It's so simple to use; if you can operate your CD
> > player and heat water in the microwave, you can use an MPO. Sleek in
> design
> > and full-featured, the MPO provides blind and visually impaired users
> all
> > the benefits of a PDA and cell phone combined. Our GSM antenna and
> > super-durable casing, designed solely for this product, are just two
> > examples of the kind of detailed engineering that went into the MPO.
> As
> > veterans in this field, we really understand that our customers are
> > demanding more from the IT and telecommunication products they depend
> on and
> > we have the resources to meet their expectations."
> >
> > The MPO has the familiar look and feel of ALVA's popular SatelliteTM
> series
> > of refreshable braille displays, with a special emphasis on portability
> and
> > durability. The trademark purple ALVA MPO casing measures 9.4 inches
> long x
> > 4.1 inches wide x 1.7 inches thick (240 x 105 x 45 mm) and weighs 1 lb.
> 9
> > oz. (700 g). The slim MPO fits easily into a handbag, backpack, or
> > briefcase and features an attractive scratch-resistant finish.
> >
> > "As soon as we heard the ALVA MPO product concept, we put in our
> request,"
> > said Chuck Cohen, president of C TECH, a distributor of low vision
> products
> > and adaptive technology for the blind, visually-impaired, and learning
> > disabled in New York and New Jersey. "We've been in this industry for
> > almost 20 years and our clients have complained in the past about
> always
> > being left behind when it comes to new technology. These are some of
> the
> > most sophisticated and productive technology users you could meet.
> It's
> > fulfilling to me to see that ALVA has put real care into this design,
> that
> > it's not just another 'yeah, blind people can use it, too' product. I
> am
> > really looking forward to my clients having such a remarkable product."
> >
> > CSUN Attendees Get First Glimpse of MPO
> > Those attending this week's CSUN Conference on Technology and Persons
> with
> > Disabilities will get a chance to preview the ALVA MPO at the ALVA
> booths
> > 277 and 278 at the Marriott Exhibit Hall from March 19 -22. CSUN is an
> > annual conference sponsored by the Center on Disabilities at California
> > State University, Northridge. The event will be held at the Los
> Angeles
> > Airport Marriott and Hilton Los Angeles Airport.
> >
> > Availability and Pricing
> > The ALVA MPO will be available in June 2003 through authorized MPO
> > resellers. MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) and volume
> purchase
> > pricing will be announced at that time.
> >
> > About ALVA
> > ALVA B.V. is a leader in the assistive technology industry. Founded in
> the
> > Netherlands in 1984, ALVA is privately held with offices in the U.S.
> and
> > Europe. With innovations that include the patented cursor routing
> switch,
> > used on virtually every Braille display manufactured today, ALVA
> products
> > and licensed technologies are helping people achieve their potential.
> The
> > ALVA product family includes Braille displays, screen readers and
> screen
> > magnification software.
> >
> > In collaboration with a network of regional Authorized ALVA Dealers,
> ALVA
> > customizes access products for rehabilitation professionals, schools,
> > government agencies, businesses, and end-users. ALVA products and
> services
> > are available worldwide.
> >
> > ALVA Access Group, Inc, the U.S. division of ALVA B.V., is located in
> > Oakland, California. ALVA Access Group can be reached toll-free at
> (888)
> > 318-2582 (ALVA) or [log in to unmask] For more information, please visit
> ALVA
> > at www.aagi.com.
> >
> > ALVA B.V. is located in Arnhem, the Netherlands. ALVA can be reached at
> +31
> > 26 384 1 384 or at [log in to unmask] For more information, please view
> the
> > ALVA web pages at www.alva-bv.nl or www.alvabraille.com.
> >
> > ALVA B.V. and ALVA Access Group, Inc. are equal opportunity employers.
> >
> > ###
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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> >
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
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> VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
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>
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
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