Reading just got easier for people with print disabilities
Using Office Open XML files, users of Microsoft Office Word can now produce content in the world’s most widely used assistive technology format
MISSISSAUGA, ON - May 7, 2008 - Microsoft Corp. today joined with industry and advocacy group leaders worldwide to launch new software that will allow people who are blind and print-disabled to navigate text with all the agility of their sighted peers. The new technology will help level the playing field for an estimated 160 million people who are blind or living with vision loss worldwide who have access to only five percent of published material in a format they can read.
Microsoft, Sonata Software Ltd. and the DAISY Consortium a global coalition of talking-book libraries, have created an open source tool that facilitates the conversion of Microsoft Office Word documents into a fully accessible format. Called the “Save as DAISY XML” add-in, the new technology will allow users to save Open XML-based text files into DAISY XML, the foundation of the globally accepted DAISY standard for reading and publishing navigable multimedia content (www.daisy.org). This add-in can be downloaded by Microsoft Office Word users for free at http://www.openxmlcommunity.org/daisy.
“Microsoft’s new “Save as DAISY XML” add-in is a significant contribution to global efforts to bring fully accessible works to people living with vision loss,” said Margaret McGrory, Vice President Information Systems & CIO, CNIB and DAISY Consortium board member.
DAISY XML is a technology standard that converts text into digital files that can be synchronized with audio narrations. This allows people to jump between chapters, skip over footnotes, speed up or slow down the recording and bookmark content via voice commands or by stroking braille keyboards on reading devices.
“It’s been very rewarding working with our partners DAISY and Sonata Software to develop a tool that will deliver valuable benefits for people with visual impairments,” said John Weigelt, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada. “This new add-in will break down barriers for millions of visually impaired individuals around the world and enhance the experience for virtually anyone who loves to read.”
The DAISY Consortium has also released today a version update of The DAISY Pipeline, a transformation suite that supports the seamless conversion of DAISY XML into DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) format. This is also available free of charge at http://www.daisy.org/projects/pipeline/.
Groups such as the World Health Organization and the World Blind Union estimate that more than 160 million people throughout the world are either blind or have a significant vision loss. This number does not even begin to address the additional hundreds of millions of people with physical, developmental, or learning disabilities who can benefit from the rich applications of DAISY.
“We have worked extensively with the CNIB over the years in its pursuit to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired Canadians. This started over six years ago when we helped develop the infrastructure for the CNIB’s Digital Library and Children’s Discovery Portal,” said Gavin Thompson, Director Community Affairs, Microsoft Canada. “This new technology will make it easier for anyone — from a child writing to his or her grandparent, to a government agency providing vital information to its citizens — to create accessible content.”
Global access to the “Save as DAISY XML” add-in for Microsoft Office Word is an important step forward for people with print disabilities around the world, including those in developing countries, because it will support access to information contained within billions of Microsoft Office Word documents, helping them to lead more independent and productive lives.
This new tool also presents the opportunity for organizations and independent software vendors to consider ways in which the technology may be employed to meet the needs of those not yet served by text-only or audio-only formats. Corporations such as insurance agencies, healthcare providers and companies that publish training manuals require a method to deliver fully accessible documents to their customers and employees with different needs. For these organizations, the “Save as DAISY XML” add-in is the breakthrough they have been waiting for.
The open source nature of the Open XML to DAISY XML translation project enables technologists to utilize the source code and other resources for their own applications. As Open XML adoption continues to expand across the software industry for use on various platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac OS and the Palm OS, solution providers interested in creating their own Open XML to DAISY XML translators can reference information available through the SourceForge open source project site at http://sourceforge.net/projects/openxml-daisy.
About CNIB
CNIB is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to research, public education and vision health for all Canadians. CNIB provides the services and support necessary for people to enjoy a good quality of life while living with vision loss. To find out more, visit us at www.cnib.ca or call 1-800-563-2642.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has 10 regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca
