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related news stories from around the world.
Technology
News Stories Page -
Spring/Summer 2003
SELECT A CATEGORY: COMPUTER
RELATED ACCESSIBLE DEVICES
MISCELLANEOUS MOBILITY
EYE HEALTH WEBSITES
Playable demo
of upcoming Terraformers™ accessible game now online (Pin Interactive, Sweden)
Blind sue over site failings: R N I B funds court cases (U K)
At
2 Year Anniversary of Section 508, Microsoft Introduces New Accessibility
Features (Online)
Information
on Accessible Images, Image Format Converter, and More (MSDN, Online)
Hacking
the Xbox: New book uses disability access as ruse for modifying games console
(Online)
Virtouch
VTPlayer
- Innovative Tactile Solution For Blind Computer Users - a Press release
(Online)
Anti-spam
tricks block the blind (ZDNet, Online)
Corvallis
firm, Microsoft make assistive technology for disabled (Online)
Telesensory release new SoundAdvice(TM) software with content for v i p's
(Online)
SALT
forum advances mobile content: SVG can embed descriptive services for v i p's (Online)
Talk
to Me (Natural Language Processing technology article, mentions JAWS) (Online)
SpeechWorks
Receives Highest Marks in Independent Testing of Text-to-Speech Software
(Online)
PBS
KIDS' Arthur Launches Communication Adventure (includes 3 accessible games)
(Online)
Net
Echo: Service allows users to surf Web by phone (San Jose California, U S
A)
Scan
Your Eyes Across This (scanning technology article) (New York, U S A)
Group
making e-mail for blind (Michigan, U S A)
Computers
for blind will happen (Bridgeton New Jersey, U S A)
Software
aids visually impaired, blind (North Carolina, U S A)
K
D E Accessibility Project Receives Trophy (France)
E-mail
spam dulls PC as a tool used by the blind (Oregon, U S A)
Mailblocks
Makes No-Spam Service Simpler: supports sight-impaired & blind users
(Online)
Net
Echo: Service allows users to surf Web by phone (San Jose California, U S
A)
Scan
Your Eyes Across This (scanning technology article) (New York, U S A)
PR:
Document Solutions, Inc introduces "PDF aloud" to North America (California, U
S A)
Long-awaited demo of "Terraformers" accessible
3d Game now ready for download (DOWN)
Magnify Your Search Results (includes review & free download of "Popout Prism") (Online)
SALT (Speech Application Language Tags) Forum Unlocks Membership Structure
(Online)
Audiobooks take advantage of mp3 technology and the internet (Illinois, U S
A)
IVocalize Voice Conferencing Technology: tutorial courtesy of Cathy Anne Murtha
(online)
New tech software trying to ease transition of old age (New York, U S
A)
Computer Game news: Terraformers wins the IGF award for best audio design
(online)
Multimedia comes alive for blind & low-vision computer users:
exciting new VTPlayer! (online)
Pace Micro Signs Agreement for Bitstream's CCTV Font Set (Online)
Web-4-All technology helping St. John's area residents get
online (Newfoundland)
Colligo Announces Cost Effective and Easy to Use Assistive
Technology (Washington, U S A)
Sakhr Software launches Ibsar's workshop at Press Club (Dubai)
Talking sense: 24 year old creates bilingual speech programme (Thailand)
IBM to provide computer literacy to the blind (Phillippines)
($3900) Pocket PC for visually impaired released (Canada)
Tech help for blind : Guerrilla Technologies' "Extreme Reader" (s d page)
(Florida, U S A)
iPhrase behind government initiative to help disabled (Massachusetts, U S
A)
School for impaired students knows the power of technology (Iowa, U S
A)
Sprint
Awarded 3 Year Relay Service Agreement for State of Hawaii: assists deaf-blind
(Hawaii)
Wizzard Software Sole Distributor of AT&T's ``Natural Voices''
(online)
SpeechWorks Releases ETI-Eloquence TTS Engine
For Handsets, Mobile Devices (online)
eCollege: Raising the Bar in Accessibility Standards (online)
Blind get dual boost from new software (Thailand)
Students develop handheld scanner to assist the blind (Terre Haute Indiana. U S
A)
Make your computer talk with Easy Talking Notepad (New Zealand)
New
software in aid of the blind: Optical Character Recognition System (India)
IBM's
Chieko Asawaka inducted to Women in Technology International's hall of
fame (International)
"The
Blues(TM)" Comes Alive on PBS: & Features WGBH descriptive narration (Marketwire,
Online)
Lots
of new inventions, products help the blind (features several good links) (Pittsburgh,
U S A)
LG
Internet enabled appliances include Fridge, Washing Machine, Microwave & Air
Conditioner (Online)
Robots
Take Center Stage at New York Exhibit: including blind robot masseur (New York,
U S A)
High-tech
'Batcanes' for the blind: GUIDE Dogs Queensland has begun trials
(Australia)
Matthew's
bright idea is a winner: tactile cooker control (Northumberland, England)
Special radios let blind, disabled Triangle residents stay informed (North
Carolina, U S A)
New
advances in GPS help the blind (Pennsylvania, U S A)
An
Electronic Watchdog for Blind People (broadcast on 27th June) (European
Space Agency)
HP
iPAQ pocket PC inspires Freedom Scientific's wireless device (Online)
Audio Tactile Mapping System helps blind
people to access & explore
spatial information (Online)
DoCoMo sees its phones providing "guide dog" services for the blind:
offers
50% discount for disabled users (Online)
Enhanced Vision (JORDY) Gives Legally Blind Student "Sight" to
Achieve Honors (Florida, U S A)
New
Tool to Aid the Blind: The Lasercane (Pennsylvania, U S A)
Blind and Low-Vision Customers Can Now Access SMS, Email & Phone
Directory Services (U K)
Good vibrations: Shoe helps blind to walk (technology feature) (Massachusetts, U
S A)
Entrepreneurs give a new twist to the talking pill bottle (New York, U S
A)
Blind
woman uses technology to overcome handicap (Arizona, U S A)
New
Software Makes Copier Talk (Rochester New York, U S A)
Cellphone to support Braille display (Cellular News, Online)
Xerox Copier Assistant: new software designed to help the visually impaired
(Online)
Xerox Software Makes Digital Copiers More Accessible (online)
ALVA Introduces the ALVA MPO(TM), Mobile Phone Organizer (Online)
'Xerox
Copier Assistant' Wins National Information Technology Award (Virginia, U S
A)
German company invents talking washing machine (Germany)
New GPS-based Orientation Tool for the Blind & Visually Impaired from
VisuAide (Canada)
Visuaide's Victor Reader Vibe, the First Mainstream Daisy Player in the World
(Canada)
Fleet Enhances Voice Guidance ATMs For the Visually Impaired (Boston, U S
A)
Student Invention: Message in a bottle that may save lives
(Thailand)
Students
develop radio - operated guide for the blind (Japan)
Tactile guide put to the test at railway museum (York, England)
Voting machines could shrink from bookcase to briefcase size (Pennsylvania, U S
A)
Drug bottle talks to user (Pittsford New York, U S A)
Students with knack for design: innovations include graphic work bench for the
blind (India)
Keypads 'will stop blind from drawing benefits' (Cumbria, U K)
Digital Theater Systems Inc. Honored for Excellence in Technology (Chicago, U S
A)
Electronic Debt and Credit Manual Sets New Standards (San Diego, U S A)
Web-4-All
Technology Helps Winnipeg Residents With Special Needs Get On-Line
(Canada)
State
Software Installation Delayed -- It's Not Blind-Accessible (Arkansas, U S
A)
So what's the cache? (G P S Technology article) (Arcadia Missouri, U S
A)
Portable "Personal Awareness Assistant" under development (California, U
S A)
Trials of new cane for blind built on principles of bat flight (U
K/Germany)
Guiding the visually impaired: Trekker satellite-tracking device (Canada)
Blind producers add accessibility to blockbuster movie & hit TV
series! (Weseetv.com, Online)
Troutdale woman's invention removes guesswork for visually impaired TV fans
(Oregon, U S A)
Exhibition showcases latest devices for disabled (India)
British technology breakthrough will help blind people navigate at sea
(London, England)
Donated device opens up new world for fifth-grader (Maine, U S A)
ViewPlus
Technologies Receives International Honor (Oregon, U S A)
Tissot
celebrate 150th anniversary with "Silen-T" their 1st ever watch for visually impaired
(Switzerland)
Unveiled: sonar Batcane that lets blind 'see' (Glasgow, Scotland)
Reality and the virtual world begin to merge (Reading, England)
Cool
- a thermometer that talks (in English or Mandarin) (Singapore)
MOBILITY
Braille aerial photos allow blind to experience the world (London,
England)
Tactile
images give visually impaired access to earth from the air (London,
England)
Talking
lampposts for blind people (North London, England)
Describe Online provide a text guide to Sight Village Exhibition
(15-17 July) (Birmingham, England)
Zozimus tour of haunted Dublin City based on real historical blind
character (Dublin, Ireland)
Fred's
miracle: Garden for the blind which was neglected for years transformed (Essex,
England)
Halifax Historical Museum announces Tactile Tour (Daytona Beach Florida, U
S A)
Post praised in firework victory: Bill "likely to become law" by
November 5 (Nottingham, England)
Vocaleyes bring masterpieces to life at Tate Britain (London, England)
Blunkett's Potter Fury: audio version of latest book will cost £75 (Sky, U
K)
Listen
and learn pioneering books: webwords service launched today (Berkshire,
England)
Lawyer's victory over dogs on ferries (Sussex, England)
Blind
singer's legal victory (over guide dog discrimination) (Liverpool,
England)
Minister
vows to back Crossrail link: & system at Bus Station to help v i
p's (Glasgow, Scotland)
In the mind's eye: exhibition aimed at visually impaired people (Hampshire,
England)
New security features on bank notes:bank working closely with blind
& vision-impaired (Canada)
Ryanair gives guide dog owners a ticket for take-off
(Stanstead Airport, Essex, England)
Tiresias
Scientific Reports: Developments in accessible Transport Information Systems (U
K)
Senate Pass FCC Reauthorization Act: gives authority
on video description regulations (Washington,U S A)
'See' lions, tigers and more during Sensory Safari (Georgia, U S A)
Blind
Subway Riders Seek Safety Upgrade For Platform (New York, U S A)
Garden
for the Blind allows v i p's to enjoy nature through the
sense of touch (Missouri, U S A)
Md.
electronic voting contract sets record: $56.6 million to be spent (Maryland, U S
A)
Blind
students take in park sounds, smells (Modesto California, U S A)
Weston
Playhouse offers service to make theatre accessible (Vermont, U S A)
It
makes real sense: new Sensory Garden built (Bromley Kent, England)
Gallery expands vision: Audio enlivens paintings for visually impaired (New
York, U S A)
Safari
helps blind 'see' (Pennsylvania, U S A)
Zoo unveils its 12th sculpture, a bird, for the visually impaired (Kansas, U S
A)
Research:
Chips
unravel vision mysteries (Portland Oregon, U S A)
G
P S helps blind walk campus (Washington DC, U S A)
Yolobus
now uses satellite tracking: permanent system to be v i accessible (California,
U S A)
Seeing-eye and navigation technologies mean more freedom for the blind
(Netherlands)
Hearing
the big picture: video description article (Kansas City Missouri, U S A)
Go
on, touch the art, think about the senses, feel compassion (Tennessee, U S
A)
N C Senate decides against allowing left turns at red lights (North
Carolina, U S A)
Businessman
visits Japan: Sidewalks, buildings have rubberized tread for v i
p's (Arizona, U S A)
Garden
pleases senses as well as appetites: & it's Harvest helps feed the needy
(Ohio, U S A)
Segways no longer strangers to Austin (Texas, U S A)
Online
Banking For The Visually Impaired: 24/7/365 (Nevada, U S A)
Audio
description makes Music Hall jazz a multi-sensory experience (New
Hampshire, U S A)
Avondale
crosswalk speaks to the visually impaired (Dekalb County Georgia, U S A)
La Crosse honored by American Foundation for the Blind (Wisconsin, U S
A)
More autonomy for blind people thanks to satellite navigation (European
Space Agency, Online)
WiFi in California Election Draws Positive Reviews (features the
WINvote system) (California, U S A)
VanKey
ToolSuite Provides Greater Access to Online Testing for Students (Florida, U S A)
Nippon
Shinpan issues credit cards with Braille (Japan)
Pulau
Ubin abode for Thai monk: features nature trail specifically
designed for v i p's (Thailand)
Latest
law on road safety: compulsory bicycle bells (Telegraph, U K) (features R N I
B)
Recycling
bins fears for blind (Coventry, England)
Dreaming in rainbow colours: Blind gardener has beautiful vision
(Canada)
Walking
stick with lasers helps visually impaired detect objects (Pennsylvania, U S
A)
Cost
219 Accessibilty for all to next generation networks meets soon
(Crete/Dublin/Switzerland)
Government
slammed for excluding blind from e-vote (United Kingdom)
Tactile Tagging System For Blind Shoppers Unveiled (U K, online)
Production of the Batcane still not started because of cashflow problems
(Yorkshire, England)
Bringing life back to the theatre (audio description feature) (Northampton,
England)
R N I B & Vocaleyes' Talking Images Museum Project: conference to be
held May 20-21 (U K)
Trekker will guide blind via GPS: Navigation system 'talks' to users
(Canada)
Blind
woman's fare complaint leads to human rights probe (Ontario, Canada)
Innovations Galore - including system that can act as a 2nd eye for v i p's (Singapore)
New Device Helps Blind Identify Grocery Products (Indiana, U S A)
Kroger
redefines shopping experience with its blind customers in mind (Ohio, U S
A)
Crown
Theatres to offer narration for blind, deaf (Illinois, U S A)
Triton
Selects ScanSoft RealSpeak to Create Talking A T M's
(Massachusetts, U S A)
Visually impaired get hands-on tour of Pittsburgh cathedral (scroll
down) (Pennsylvania,
U S A)
Talking bank machine opens doors for clients (Alberta, Canada)
Block E movie technology for the disabled is a big hit (Minnesota, U S A)
Blind can get movies' big picture (Palm Beach Florida, U S A)
Mexico
redesigns currencies to help blind (Mexico City, U S A)
Mo Pix helps blind enjoy cinema (Boston, U S A)
Pittsburgh
Gets First "fully accessible" Automatic Public Toilet (Pennsylvania, U S
A)
Diebold's Touch-Screen Voting Systems Provide Accurate, Rapid Election Results
(Ohio, U S A)
Broward County will install buzzer system to help blind cross intersections
(Florida, U S A)
Camelot fined over disabled provisions (U K)
Join
PBS KIDS' ARTHUR(R) on a Communication Adventure at pbskids.org/arthur (Boston,
U S A)
First EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) signal in
space (Europe)
Newly
rebuilt (accessible) SX trains big boost for commuters (New Zealand)
Press Release: Accessing New Zealand Via Non-Visual Means (New
Zealand)
University students tell reporter
what they're doing to make campus
more accessible (Singapore)
EYE HEALTH & SENSORY SCIENCE
Laser eye surgery has 10pc failure rate (Telegraph Online, U K)
Engineers Develop Technology To Transmit Sensation Of Touch Over Internet
(Buffalo N Y, Online)
Finger stimulations, drugs can improve sense of touch (Scripps Howard News
Service, Online)
Gene Found for Blind, Deaf (Usher) Syndrome in Children (Online)
Albinos
- Often Misunderstood (Pennsylvania, U S A)
Medicine identified that stops blood vessel growth associated with
diabetic eye disease (John Hopkins, Online)
M I T researcher identifies mechanism in developing brain synapses
(Online)
Treatment In Sight For Blinding, Deafening Disease (Usher's Syndrome) (San
Diego, U S A)
Study: Just three cell types detect light in the eye (John Hopkins,
Online)
Technique Offering Hope To Some:1 Percent Of Cornea Transplants Don't
Work (New York, U S A)
Chips, other small devices help patients battle eye diseases (Online)
Better Glaucoma Treatment found For African Americans (Online)
Cornea transplants preserve vision for thousands (Online)
Kemin spreads lutein knowledge: to R N I B and A M D Aliiance
(Online)
Optobionics
Stays Focused As Retina Implant Process Plods Along (Illinois, U S
A)
A
new drug (Rhufab) may cure macular degeneration (Texas, U S A)
Experts reveal extent of blinding disease (trachoma
article) (London, England)
We
fear we may lose our sight: hospital patients (Bristol, England)
Blind
area woman wants 'bionic' eye (Missouri, U S A)
Man
sees world through new eyes: surgery improved sight from 20/200 to 20/60 (Georgia, U S A)
Spending
Time in the Dark Improves Sense of Touch (Reuters Health, Online)
Injection
prevents growth of blinding blood vessels (Health & Age, Online)
New
(Scleral) lens restores vision and gives relief (New York, U S A)
1st Wireless, Integrated Insulin Pump & Glucose Monitor System Receives
FDA Clearance (Online)
Bionic
Eyes Benefit the Blind (Wired.com, Online)
Disarming
"Glial" Cells May Solve Retinal Transplantation Barrier (Schepens Eye Institute,
Online)
Eye
implant offers hope for (AMD) impaired (Ohio, U S A)
Restoring sight with a "bionic eye" (New York, U S A)
Judge
To File LASIK Lawsuit (Florida, U S A)
Accidental
eye injury is leading cause of visual impairment (U S A)
Lilly
says diabetes drug (Exenatide) shows promise (Online)
New technique helping cataract sufferers (Online)
New
lens implants can restore a patient's sight (San Antonio Texas, U S A)
Darkness Lifted, They See Again (Florida, U S A)
Closing
In On Perfection: Ultraprecision machines led to 400 people wearing
scleral lenses (Online)
Rotary Club sponsors JORDY for F A U student (Florida, U S A)
Eye
Implant Restores Sight To Blind (University of Southern California, U S A)
Astronomy Technology May Improve Vision (Washington DC, U S A)
Echolocation, our neglected sensory tool (Toronto, Canada)
Evolving science of vocal tones catches up to what baby knows (Christian Science
Monitor)
Patented Low-Vision Eyewear For Central Visual Impairments (Florida, U S
A)
Researchers discover eye, brain connection (University of Cincinnati, Ohio, U S
A)
Abnormal
Immune Response May Play Major Role in Glaucoma, Study Says (Online)
Local making medical history (British Columbia, Canada)
Optometrists Poised to Flush Out Quacks (Africa)
Seeing
is believing - in chemical wizardry: Cystinosis treated
successfully (South Africa)
LASIK "Beneficial for Children as Young as Two Years of Age" (San Francisco, U S
A)
A lack of vision: You don't see as much as you think you do (Boston, U S
A)
Stem Cell Transplants Offer New Hope in Some Cases of Blindness (New York, U S
A)
Donated Eye Tissue Brings Answers To Other Diseases (North Carolina, U S
A
Long
helps auto industry understand vision problems (Kalamazoo Michigan, U S A)
Oxford
BioMedica/Institute of Ophthalmology: results from vision-loss
product RetinoStat (Online)
Blind
sheep show way to eye aid (New Zealand)
Researchers
develop mobile 'eyes' for blind (Tokyo, Japan)
Thai ophthalmologist wins Bernard Foundation Prize (Thailand)
Study: Southeast Asian water babies have supreme aquatic vision
(Thailand)
A ray of hope for the blind: retinal gene therapy (South Africa)
"Daredevil" Film on DVD which has a “Visually Impaired Track” to be
released July 29th (Online)
British
Computer Association of the Blind release "Guide Cats for the Blind!" Double CD
(U K)
Blind
and looking for E T: Dr Kent Cullers (California, U S A)
International BiOptic Driving Conference now moved to June 2004 (London,
England)
Study
shows that "video games may be a useful tool to help visually impaired patients"
(Online)
Sound
That Focuses Only On You Piques Interest (Hypersonic Sound technology article)
(Online)
Science:
HyperSonic Sound (HSS) Promises Audio Revolution...And More (SCi-Fi Today,
Online)
European Central Bank (ECB) considering embedding tiny radio tags into euro
notes (Online)
Artist,
with help from NASA, creates 'seeing machine' (Massachusetts Institute of
Technology)
ARES/RACES Radio Teams (inc. KC2KFD) Muster in Wake of NJ Blast (Connecticut, U S
A)
MENVI (Music Education Network For The Visually Impaired) website launched
(online)
Look, it's a toy! It's a scooter! No, it's that Segway (California, U S
A)
Honda touting humanoid as helpmate of the future (North Jersey, U S
A)
Technological Advances Making Life Easier for People (AAAS,
online)
Accessible "Chicago
City" Documentary DVD's Provided to All
Libraries (Illinois, U S A)
Space technology helps the blind (BBC, U K)
Touch TV moves closer (BBC, Online)
iBiquity Digital to Showcase HD Radio(TM) Advanced Services
(Online)
Digital radio 'shuns' the blind (BBC, U K)
SETI ing the standard: Dr Kent Cullers (California, U S A)
R
N I B brings U K's first action over site accessibility (U K)
U
K airlines fail to make websites accessible (Computer Weekly, U K)
Top broadcasters & media groups discuss web
accessibility regulation (London, England)
Websites
must comply with disability access legislation, says R N I B (Computer Weekly, U
K)
Government releases 'A' sites portal for visually impaired
people (U K) related link
Opening the web to all: making public sector services accessible
to all "a key priority"(BBC, U K)
1,000 web sites to be checked for disabled access (U K)
Amazon Launches Shopping Site for Visually Impaired (Online)
related link
National Cancer Institute Creates Accessible Online Maps With OptiMap(TM)
(Online)
EFTPS-OnLine Gets Major Upgrade: including improved accessibility (U S A,
Online)
The
A D A's Next Step: Cyberspace (Business Week, Online)
American Association of People With Disabilities Presents Verizon with
Justice Award (Online)
Blind and visually impaired teens unveil fully accessible Web portal
(Toronto, Canada)
C
N I B summer camp helps blind with Web design (Toronto, Canada)
Weather
sites warn of gathering storms (features "Weatherbug" software) (New York, U S
A)
A C
B Endorses Cynthia Says™ as Excellent Resource for Testing WebSite
Accessibility (U S A)
A D A Teleconference: "Going Beyond Web Accessibility: What Else Is There?"
(Indiana, U S A)
Texas A&M University Selects Watchfire for Website Accessibility
(Texas, U S A)
Audible.Com
Named ``Best Consumer Web Service'' in CNET Top 100 Products List
(Online)
Match.com Introduces Voicemail and Person-to-Person Voice Communication
(Online)
Accessible HTML: Allowing Other Viewpoints (CNET, Online)
XWEBS: Student's super browser (Melbourne, Australia)
No more outSPOKEN, inLARGE for the Macintosh: ALVA quits development
(Online)
Keynote Announces New Version of WebIntegrity that Supports Web
Accessibility Testing (Online)
I R S Web site plans to add talk feature (U S A)
World's First Special-Needs Friendly Auction Site (Oakdale California, U
S A)
6b. related
link http://www.accessibleauctions.com/
Knowlagent 508 Compliance Enhancements Advance Accessibility
(Online)
'Talking Newspapers'on CD in the future (Brunei)
James Patterson's "The Jester" the first commercially available audio
e-book (U K)
Web-4-All technology helping South Shore residents with special needs get
on-line (Canada)
Government faces massive website overhaul (U K)
Voice: Online companies and the new web accessibility laws (Net Imperative,
Online)
CORDA Technologies Creates (Accessible to visually impaired) Map to Track SARS
(Online)
Site under continuous construction! Watch this space.
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The editor is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does he necessarily endorse any commercial product, political viewpoint or service mentioned. All linked stories are copyright of their respective owners. No responsibility taken for errors or ommissions. Non-profit making & for accessibility, awareness, education and leisure purposes only. Produced and edited on a voluntary basis.
Page Copyright Leon W Gilbert, June
2003.
V I P News dot org dot u k was started on September 11th 2002.