The Microsoft Accessibility Update provides information about accessibility including accessibility options in Microsoft products. This newsletter is sent via e-mail to subscribers in the first week of the month and is also published on the Microsoft Accessibility Web site.

Microsoft Takes Comfort to a New Level With Advanced Ergonomics

Continuing its commitment to delivering the most comfortable peripherals available, Microsoft Corp. launched three new products designed to make time on the PC more comfortable than ever. A revolutionary ergonomic keyboard design, a sleek Comfort Curve Keyboard and an affordable High Definition optical mouse showcase the latest innovations in ergonomics and make time spent on the PC more enjoyable. Read this article

Related Links:

• Comfort on the Desktop Goes Hand in Hand
• Microsoft Hardware Web Site

Microsoft Healthy Computing: Work in Comfort

You spend a lot of time in front of your computer. In fact, the only thing you touch more often than your mouse and keyboard is your pillow. Microsoft offers some of the most comfortable hardware available.

Read this article and see an interactive demo of Microsoft's most comfortable mouse and keyboards.

Case Studies Highlight Power of Accessible Technology

Case studies demonstrate how accessible technology enables people with functional disabilities, impairments and difficulties to unleash their potential via the computer. Read about these high-achieving professionals with visual impairments who use assistive technology with Microsoft Windows XP to maintain high productivity:

• Problem-Solving Skills and Assistive Technology Equal Long-term Career Success for Pharmacia Systems Engineer
• Earthlink Master Tech Uses Expertise in Assistive Technology to Enhance Reputation of Leading ISP

Focus On Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program Recipients: Learning Independence Through Computers (LINC)

LINC, of Baltimore, MD, one of the 2005 Microsoft Unlimited Potential grant program recipients, provides an array of computer training and other resources to underserved communities and to communities of children and adults with disabilities. Support from Microsoft will supplement staff, enabling LINC to expand its offerings of IT skills training. Partners in LINC's efforts include Baltimore City Pubic Schools, Maryland Department of Education, Baltimore Community Foundation, CTCNet, and Verizon.

Read more about Microsoft Unlimited Potential grants

Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) is a global program focused on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills training through Community-Based Technology and Learning Centers (CTLCs). Microsoft believes that by providing technical skills training to underserved individuals, we can partner to create social and economic opportunities that can change people's lives and transform communities and, ultimately, nations.

Bookshare.org Increases Access to Books for Individuals with Visual Impairments and Other Print Disabilities

Looking for an accessible copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? It's available for download in BRF and DAISY formats to qualified subscribers (individuals with print disabilities) on Bookshare.org.

Bookshare.org is an online community that enables scanned books to be shared, thereby leveraging the collections of thousands of individuals who regularly scan books, eliminating significant duplication of effort. Bookshare.org takes advantage of a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized formats for qualifying individuals with print disabilities.

Learn more about how to qualify and subscribe to Bookshare.org