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Microsoft Targets Blind Edit
Word Docs Translated to Audio With Daisy

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Microsoft Targets Blind - Word Docs Translated to Audio With Daisy
Word Docs Translated to Audio With Daisy
 Published: Nov 14, 07
 Views: 2,921

Microsoft doesn’t plan on leaving anyone in the dark. The company teamed with Daisy digital talking books to develop some new technologies for the blind to make it possibly for even the visually impaired to take advantage of computers. The new program will translate Word documents into digital audio.

They’re collaborate to create a free plug-in that translates Word documents based on Open XML into Daisy XML. The downloadable plug-in is expected to be available in early 2008.

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“In our information age, access to information is a fundamental human right,” said George Kerscher, secretary general of the DAISY Consortium. “This is why leading organizations of and for the blind throughout the world are committed to the advancement of the DAISY Standard. The ability to create DAISY content from millions of Open XML-based documents using this translator for Microsoft Office Word will offer substantial and immediate benefits to publishers, governments, corporations, educators and, most important, to everyone who loves to read.” “We are keenly tracking these developments for the benefit of our members and students around the world,” said Charlene Gaynor, CEO of the Association of Educational Publishers. “Not only will the Open XML to DAISY XML translator support an outstanding critical need for individuals with print disabilities, but it will also help us fulfill our commitment to improve the learning experience for those students served neither by text-only nor audio-only books today.” (microsoft)

References:  microsoft

Filed In:  gadgets,  interactive,  inventions,  life,  lifestyle,  marketing,  tech,  unique








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Microsoft Targets Blind