Microsoft, in partnership with industry- and advocacy- group leaders worldwide, have launched a new software called "Save as DAISY XML" that will make it easier for anyone to create documents and content accessible by blind and print-disabled individuals.
The new "Save as DAISY XML" add-in, designed for Microsoft Office Word 2007, Word 2003, and Word XP, will allow users save Open XML-based text files as DAISY XML, the foundation of the globally-accepted lingua franca for digital talking books.
The add-in is created through an open-source project with Microsoft and the Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) Consortium. It can be downloaded by Microsoft Office Word users for free here.
Also released today is the newest version of the DAISY Pipeline, a free downloadable transformation suite that supports seamless conversion of DAISY XML into DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) format. Together, these technologies provide a comprehensive solution for converting text documents into accessible formats for people with print disabilities.
An Indian member of the DAISY consortium, the National Association for the Blind (NAB), has welcomed the initiative. Dipendra Manocha, director (IT and Services) of NAB and president of DAISY Forum of India, said, "With the largest blind population in the world, India needs initiatives like these to redress the problems faced by the visually challenged. 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 as it supports 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 such as insurance agencies, health-care providers, and independent software vendors to consider ways in which technology may be employed to meet the needs of those not yet served by text-only or audio-only formats.
The product is a great leap forward for those of us with retena Degeneration. But it is limited to Microsoft Office documents. What is neede actually is advanced software enhancemenr for Internet Explorer for use on the Internet. when will the "daisey' consortium bring its software capabilities to the internet?
by desktoparchitec
from Tacoma
on 09/05/08 05:21 AM
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