PR Newswire, via Yahoo
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Breakthrough Technology Provides TV Listings to the Blind
By National Federation of the Blind
Wednesday December 20, 3:04 pm ET
Free, On-Demand Service Available to Millions
BALTIMORE, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind has
partnered with Tribune Media Services to add television listings to
NFB-NEWSLINE®,
the nation's largest on-demand news service for the blind. Beginning today,
blind and visually impaired Americans will have independent access to their
local TV listings, all in one place, only a telephone call away.
Eric Duffy, a Columbus, Ohio native and blind parent of two children, said:
"It is so important to find quality television programming for young
children.
Now I can choose appropriate TV shows for my children, just like any other
sighted parent."
Garrick Scott, of Atlanta, Georgia, hosts a weekly sports talk show.
"Watching sports is a huge part of my life, and this new capability makes it
infinitely
easier to find what I want to watch," Scott said.
By simply entering the zip code, source of TV reception, and time zone,
blind users will have quick and easy access to their local TV listings. The
listings
are interactive, as the user can navigate and choose between date, time,
and/or channel listings. After a user enters the local zip code, he or she
is
presented with a list of cable and satellite providers in the area. The user
can also indicate the use of a television antenna.
Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind said:
"The sheer volume of information that blind persons will now have access to
is
astonishing. Finally, blind television viewers can find out what's on any
channel, at any time, and within seconds."
Over 50,000 NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers already enjoy the free electronic
newspaper service which carries 242 newspapers and magazines to 41 states
and the
District of Columbia. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today,
and AARP The Magazine are among the many national and local newspapers
offered.
Subscribers have access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, through
a local or toll-free telephone number.
NFB-NEWSLINE® uses the Zap2it television listings, a product of Tribune
Media Services and the leading source of entertainment listings in the
country.
Individuals who are unable to read print due to a physical disability are
eligible for this free service. To register or to request more information,
call
the National Federation of the Blind at (866) 504-7300, or visit them online
at
http://www.nfbnewsline.org/
About the National Federation of the Blind
With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.
It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the
nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of
the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the
United States for the blind led by the blind.
Source: National Federation of the Blind
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061220/cgw052.html?.v=75
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