For Immediate Release CONTACT: Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind (410) 659-9314, extension 2330 (410) 262-1281 (Cell) [email protected]
National Federation of the Blind Commends Microsoft and GW Micro for Groundbreaking Accessibility Partnership Window-Eyes Screen Reader Now Available for Free to Many Microsoft Office Users Baltimore, Maryland (January 14, 2014): The National Federation of the Blind <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2951&qid=332073> , the nation's leading advocate for equal access to technology by the blind, today commended Microsoft Corporation and GW Micro for their announcement of a partnership that makes GW Micro's Window-Eyes screen reader available for free to users of Microsoft Office 2010 or higher. More details about this groundbreaking offer are available at www.WindowEyesForOffice.com <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2952&qid=332073> .. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "The announcement of this historic partnership between Microsoft and GW Micro is truly revolutionary. For the first time, users of Microsoft Office 2010 or later will not have to pay hundreds of dollars in order to obtain an accessibility solution that will allow them to take advantage of the features of Office and Windows. This partnership has the potential to make access to employment, education, and other opportunities more readily available to blind people everywhere. "The usefulness of any screen reader product, of course, is limited by the degree to which other products are compatible with it," Dr. Maurer continued. "The National Federation of the Blind seeks collaboration with software manufacturers, Web developers, and other technology innovators in order to ensure that blind users have full and equal access to their products and services. Microsoft and GW Micro are removing a significant barrier to obtaining screen access technology. Developers of mainstream technology, as well as the businesses, institutions, and governmental entities that use it, must continue to do their part by making sure that screen reader users have full access to what they produce, procure, and deploy." ### About the National Federation of the Blind The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest, and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become independent and successful. We need your support. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=2953&qid=332073> .. Unsubscribe from this mailing <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=1035&qid=332073&h=4 56ec1b633c88838> Or you may opt-out of all future mailings from us <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=1035&qid=332073&h=456ec1 b633c88838> National Federation of the Blind 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place Baltimore, MD 21230 United States 410 659-9314 This is a CONFIDENTIAL communication and is not to be duplicated or forwarded to other individuals or organizations. This electronic message, including all attachments, is intended only for the use of the addresse(s) named above and may contain legally privileged and confidential information. The authorized recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information to any other party unless required to do so by law or regulation and is required to destroy the information after its stated need has been fulfilled. If you received this message in error, you may not use, disclose, copy, or disseminate any of the information contained in this message. Please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy the original message including all attachments. Thank you for your cooperation. If you reply to this message it will be delivered to the original sender only. If your reply would benefit others on the list and your message is related to GW Micro, then please consider sending your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it. GW-Info messages are archived at http://www.gwmicro.com/gwinfo. You can manage your list subscription at http://www.gwmicro.com/listserv.
