'Reading' Becomes Easier for People with Assistive Needs in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, September 5, 2008 – The National Council for the Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) presented a new software feature that will allow anyone to create documents with content that can be accessible by Malaysians with assistive needs including the blind, visually impaired or physically challenged. The function known as the ‘Save As DAISY XML’ add-in, designed for Microsoft Word 2007, Word 2003 and Word XP, 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.

Dato’ S. Kulasegaran, President of NCBM, shared that “In recent decades, individuals with assistive needs have increasingly accessed information using a wide variety of assistive technologies such as screen readers, large print, refreshable Braille and text-to-speech synthesizers”. As it was not possible to navigate complex page layouts, they often struggle to keep up with the demands of today’s increasingly information-dependent society. The ‘Save As DAISY XML’ makes it possible to navigate quickly through a document by heading or page number as well as the use of indices and references. The add-in not only provides access to an unprecedented amount of data and documents that was previously unavailable but also provides the ease of finding information needed within those documents.

“The new ‘Save As DAISY XML’ functionality for Microsoft Word has the potential to break down barriers for individuals with assistive needs and enhance the experience for anyone who wants to read, not only materials created locally but also on a global level” added Dr. Dzahar Mansor, Microsoft Malaysia’s National Technology Officer.

Microsoft’s initiative to put ‘Save As DAISY XML’ in Microsoft Word is the first step to bring fully accessible content to people with assistive needs. With much of the information on documents today being created with Microsoft Word – the new add-in provides a historic leap forward in the nationwide effort to make information available to all. The effort is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential initiative to help bridge the digital divide by creating more programmes that will help the community, transform education and support partnerships through technology.

Today, about 60,000 visually impaired people in the country use Microsoft Word and will be able to experience immediate benefits from this feature. Dr. Dzahar shared that “because Microsoft Word is a commonly used tool, this add-in allows for content creators in different fields to produce accessible digital material by and for Malaysians, especially individuals with assistive needs.”

The ‘Save As DAISY XML’ tool also presents the opportunity for organisations and independent software vendors to explore ways in which the technology may be used to format their information to be accessed by people with assistive needs. Organisations in the fields of insurance and healthcare or those who publish training manuals will also be able to make their information accessible to Malaysians with different needs.
Kulasegaran added “There have been specific challenges that universities and public institutions face in providing books and materials for those who cannot read. Functionalities like the new ‘Save As DAISY XML’ feature within Microsoft Word can reduce the expense and increase the ease of delivering accessible content to Malaysians who require it.”

The event also included a demonstration on the usage of the ‘Save As DAISY XML’ feature by Moses Choo, Assistant Executive Director of Blind Professional Assistance Service (BPAS), a section of the NCBM.  

For more information on the ‘Save as DAISY XML’ tool, please visit the NCBM website on www.ncbm.org.my.

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About Microsoft
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (www.microsoft.com/malaysia) is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation and was incorporated on July 8, 1992.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

About Microsoft Unlimited Potential program
Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) is the primary focus of Microsoft’s corporate philanthropy and community Affairs efforts. UP is a global program, localized within Malaysia, focused on the combination of advanced technologies and strong partnerships with governments, partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educators, and academics to take an innovative approach to enabling new avenues of social and economic empowerment.

Unlimited Potential is focused on delivering relevant, accessible and affordable solutions in three interrelated areas that are crucial to developing economic opportunity: Transforming Education, Fostering Local Innovation and Enabling Jobs & Opportunities. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/malaysia/giving or email upctspmy@microsoft.com.

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