Technological Developments

I ran across two interesting articles.

Cell Phone Technology for the Blind - A new cell phone is on the market that can assist the blind by reading for them. The $2,000 phone comes with software that is able to take a picture and describe its content to the user. The software can read labels, relate pictures, and read pages of printed text. Reading technology has been in use for several decades, but this cell phone is a breakthrough by making the technology available in a hand-held device. Full Story: Nell Greenfieldboyce, Cell Phone Reads to the Blind, National Public Radio (January 29, 2008), available athttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18504117

Microsoft Works to Make Certain Assistive Technology Accessible to All - Microsoft has technology called UI (User Interface) Automation, which they have lent to Accessibility Interoperability Alliance (AIA) to improve access to technology for people with disabilities. UI Automation is a programming model that simplifies and reduces costs for assistive technology developers. The use of UI Automation allows developers to create products that help users interact better with the technology they produce. Full story: PRNewswire, (January 17, 2008), available athttp://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=PR&Date=20080117&ID=8053752&Symbol=MSFT