From the web page:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/001120/wa_microso.html

Monday November 20, 12:00 pm Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft and New Zealand Company Pulse Data to Make Thousands of eBook 
Titles Available to the Blind
Microsoft Reader Software to Be Integrated Into BrailleNote, Pulse Data's 
Family of Personal Data Assistants
REDMOND, Wash., and CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) signed an agreement with Pulse Data 
International Ltd. that will provide the visually impaired with easy access 
to thousands of new and existing electronic books. Pulse Data, a specialist 
in enabling access to information for the visually impaired, will 
collaborate with Microsoft in delivering a blind-friendly interface for 
eBooks created for Microsoft® Reader.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
Microsoft Reader software will be integrated with Pulse Data's BrailleNote, 
a family of screenless personal data assistants based on the Microsoft 
Windows® CE operating system that offer feedback through speech and 
electronic Braille.

``We at Microsoft have a dream that people with visual impairments will 
have access to books and literature at the same time and with the same 
availability as sighted readers,'' said Janine Harrison, group program 
manager of Microsoft Reader. ``This collaboration is a wonderful step in 
making that dream a reality.''

Russell Smith, managing director of Pulse Data, shares this enthusiasm and 
sees Microsoft as the driving force behind the alliance. ``Clearly we are 
very excited about the opportunity and consider this the next step forward 
in our relationship with Microsoft USA and Microsoft New Zealand. 
Integrating Microsoft Reader into the BrailleNote family is a further 
justification for our decision to use the Windows CE operating system in 
the BrailleNote family of products.''

To read an electronic book with BrailleNote, users will need to download an 
eBook title from an online distributor to their BrailleNote device, then 
open the file. They will have the option to listen to the speech version of 
the eBook or read the electronic Braille display.

Jim Halliday, president of HumanWare Inc., the North American distributor 
of BrailleNote, is thrilled about the possibilities for the technology. 
``The implications are enormous. With the integration of BrailleNote and 
Microsoft Reader, blind schoolchildren will be able to read the same eBooks 
as their sighted classmates, and blind people will have virtually instant 
access to literally thousands of titles that would take months or years to 
create through traditional paper Braille publishing.''

Geoff Lawrie, managing director of Microsoft New Zealand, said, ``Pulse 
Data's work has been instrumental in promoting New Zealand's software 
development reputation on the world stage, and we are delighted to be 
working with Pulse Data to further enhance its innovative products for the 
visually impaired.''

About Microsoft's Accessibility Efforts

With more than a decade of experience and dedication, Microsoft has been a 
leader in making accessible products and raising the standard for the 
industry. In addition to developing products, technologies and services 
that are accessible and usable by all people, Microsoft works closely with 
companies that produce accessibility aids to achieve a common goal of 
improving the lives of people with disabilities by making computers a 
positive force in employment, education and recreation.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services 
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company 
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people 
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.

About Pulse Data International Ltd.

Founded in 1988, Pulse Data international has become a world leader in the 
design, manufacture and distribution of innovative products and software 
that enhance the lives of visually impaired people. These include 
electronic magnifying systems for people with low vision and hardware and 
software products, which use synthesized speech and electronic Braille for 
the totally blind.

NOTE: Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks 
of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names 
of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of 
their respective owners.

SOURCE: Microsoft Corp. 


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