----- Original Message -----
From: "Catherine Alfieri" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 9:53 AM
Subject: CURR: Accessible Cell Phone Info
> First Accessible Integrated Cellular Phone and Personal Organizer Now
Available
>
> ALVA B.V., a leading provider of assistive information technology for the
blind and visually impaired, today announced that the ALVA MPO 5500h, the
first fully-integrated cellular phone and personal organizer, began shipping
to customers this week. The MPO puts resources -- people, data, and
documents -- at the user's fingertips in one small durable device that can
be carried in a pocket, book bag, or briefcase and access using Braille or
speech. Standard cellular phones and PDAs (personal digital assistant) have
almost no accessibility features, short of a few voice-activated commands.
Services are increasingly visually oriented, requiring the user to navigate
through detailed layered menus and select options displayed on tiny screens.
"The MPO gives ALVA a chance to apply our Braille display and access
expertise to a growing wireless market," said Eric Weldink, ALVA president
and CEO. "This is a case of technology really addressing a changing market.
Our customers are very mobile, moving between home, workplace, and school --
independent people who participate in their community but are hampered by
the limitations of traditional mobile technology." ALVA MPO offers all the
key features traditional cellular phone and PDA users have come to expect,
with additional features incorporated for blind and visually impaired users
including 20 cell, 8-dot Braille keyboard with touch sensors, a high quality
speech synthesizer and ALVA's Smart-Control(TM) navigator.
>
> MPO 5500 Offers Solid Platform to Grow On The ALVA MPO 5500 represents a
robust platform with an expanding set of functions, carrying ALVA's
"Future-Safe" label. "Future Safe means that customers will benefit from
our commitment to a stream of upgrades and extensions," said Weldink.
"Beginning in early 2004, we will offer MPO Option Packages that only
require simple software upgrades." Upcoming ALVA MPO features will include
email synchronization with Outlook and added Braille terminal functionality.
Users can expect more options, like an Internet browser, GPS (Global
Positioning System), Daisy reader, and an MP3 player later in the year.
>
> MPO Reaches Growing Market There are approximately 10 million blind or
visually impaired people in the U.S. The blind and visually impaired U.S.
population is growing as the population ages. Nearly half are employed and
many others attend school and college full-time. (source: American
Foundation for the Blind Quick Facts and Figures on Blindness and Low
Vision).
>
> Pricing and Availability The ALVA MPO 5500 is available now through all
authorized MPO resellers in the U.S. The MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested
Retail Price) is $4,295.
>
> About ALVA 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, speech synthesizers, screen magnification software, Braille
software and printers, and handheld organizers. ALVA Access Group, Inc., the
U.S. division of ALVA B.V., is located in Oakland, California. ALVA Access
Group, Inc. can be reached toll-free at 888-318-2582 (ALVA) or
[log in to unmask]
. For more information, please visit ALVA at
http://www.aagi.com
.
>
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www.helpinghands4theblind.com
--
Ann K. Parsons
email: [log in to unmask]
WEB SITE: http://home.eznet.net/~akp
"All that is gold does not glitter.
Not all those who wander are lost." JRRT
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See EASI Special October Bonus offer at http://easi.cc/clinic.htm
EASI November courses are:
Barrier-free E-learning, Accessible Internet Multimedia and Business
Benefits of Accessible IT Design:
http://easi.cc/workshop.htm
EASI Home Page http://www.rit.edu/~easi
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