Not just the blind, even the dyslexic and illiterate can gain from DAISY XML

Microsofts latest initiative to put Save as DAISY XML in Microsoft Word

is the first step in bringing fully accessible content to people who are blind

or those who have a print disability.Excerpts

What is the concept behind Microsofts DAISY XML?



Our latest initiative to put Save as DAISY XML in MS Word is the first

step toward bringing fully accessible content to people who are blind or those

who have print disability. This new Save as DAISY XML functionality for

Microsoft Word has the potential to break down barriers for millions of visually

impaired individuals around the world and enhance the experience for virtually

anyone who loves to read. This tool will make it easier for anyonefrom a child

learning lessons, to a government agency providing vital information to its

citizensto create accessible content.

What are the other similar software solutions available in the market and

how would DAISY compete with them?



Currently, only 5% of all information is available via assistive

technologies like Braille or Talking Books, and it is estimated that nearly 70%

of the information is contained in Word documents. There is now a way to easily

and freely create accessible documents within MS Word.

Significantly, this new add-in isnt just useful for people who are blind.

Organizations too can now create training materials and employee manuals for

their print-disabled employees while libraries and schools can create content

for their print-disabled patrons. For instance, in addition to the millions of

blind users who can benefit from this technology, members of communities like

the dyslexic and illiterate can gain tremendously from this advancement.

What are the salient features of DAISY?



Using DAISY XML format standard, content creators such as in a library who

are blind or visually impaired or even a book publisher, can produce accessible

and navigable books to meet a variety of reading needs.

Using DAISY the organizations can produce a digital talking book (DTB) that

enables people to navigate through it in a way comparable to how a print book

would be used.

Organizations could also synchronize an electronic text file with an audio

file to provide readers with the choice to examine the text and/or listen to the

audio version of it. Moreover, one can also generate an electronic Braille file

from the electronic text used to create the DAISY book.

People who are blind or print-disabled cannot visually navigate complex page

layouts and need the information presented sequentially. The structuring of

information in DAISY materials enables the consumer to navigate quickly through

information by heading or page number using indices and references, all with

correctly ordered, synchronized audio and text.

Is this the first time that such a product for the disabled is being

launched by Microsoft India?



Microsoft Office continues to have numerous support features and produce new

innovations such as accessibility kit for SharePoint (AKS), also an OpenSource

effort; turning off ClearType (which can improve the experience for customers

using screen magnification); ability to show keyboard shortcuts in ScreenTips;

hundreds of compatible assistive technology solutions, more than any

productivity software; and, most importantly, good support for high-contrast

mode.

Stuti Das



stutid@cybermedia.co.in