[Blindtlk] Accessible Android E-Mail and Barcode Reader Available

[David Andrews]

>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>Contact: Steve Jacobs
>Phone: (614) 777-0660
>E-Mail: steve.jacobs at ideal-group.org
>
>Accessible Android E-Mail and Barcode Reader Available
>
>Open Source, Android Applications Released in 
>Support of Raising the Floor, Reducing the Cost, 
>and Leveling the Playing Field for Individuals with Disabilities
>
>HILLIARD, OH July 6, 2010 - IDEAL Group 
>Apps4Android, Inc. announced today the release 
>of the first Android e-mail reader for the 
>blind. The IDEAL K9 E-Mail® reader is accessible 
>using Google's Talkback and other Android 
>screenreaders. Also announced was the release of 
>IDEAL Item Identifier®, an Android-based barcode 
>reader. The barcode reader makes it possible to 
>quickly, easily, and accurately identify 
>products by using Android smartphones to read 
>barcodes on standard products. Both applications 
>have been open-sourced in support of the Raising 
>the Floor Initiative. http://raisingthefloor.net/
>
>According to Steve Jacobs the President of IDEAL 
>Group, “Given the efforts Google has put into 
>Android, especially the work of their Eyes-Free 
>Project team, we are convinced that Google is 
>committed to making Android a world-class fully 
>accessible platform and we want to help Google get there faster.”
>
>IDEAL is also developing an open source Android 
>web browser for the blind. In addition, IDEAL is 
>developing an open source video magnification 
>application that enables individuals with low 
>vision to turn their Android smartphones into hand-held video magnifiers.
>
>Given the high cost of dedicated devices that 
>serve these purposes today, Jacobs hopes these 
>free, high-quality open source Android 
>applications will be Raising the Floor of 
>opportunities for individuals with print disabilities.
>
>Jacobs further stated, “While we plan to develop 
>accessible applications for other platforms in 
>the future, we love the openness of Android. It 
>makes it easy for developers to figure out how 
>programs function and has enabled us to innovate 
>much more rapidly and easily than on any other platform.”
>
>About IDEAL Group Apps4Android:
>
>Apps4Android, Inc. is dedicated to developing 
>low/no-cost, high-quality, Android applications 
>that enhance the quality-of-life, independence, 
>quality of education, and employability of 
>individuals with disabilities... and everyone 
>else! Apps4Android is the world’s largest 
>developer of speech-enabled Android applications 
>in the world with 750,000+ active users in 47 countries. For more information:
>http://apps4android.org/
>
>About Raising the Floor (RtF):
>
>Raising the Floor is an international consortium 
>of organizations and individuals focused on 
>ensuring that people experiencing disabilities, 
>literacy problems, or the effects of aging are 
>able to access and use all of the information, 
>resources, services, and communities available 
>on or through the Web. Of particular concern are 
>those with limited or no resources. For more information:
>http://raisingthefloor.net/about
>
>###
>
>This work is supported in part with funds from 
>the National Institute on Disability and 
>Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of 
>Education, grant number H133E080022 to the 
>University of Wisconsin Trace R&D Center. Users 
>of IDEAL K9 E-Mail® and IDEAL Item Identifier® 
>should not assume endorsement by either the 
>Department of Education or the federal government.
>

         David Andrews and long white cane Harry, dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920