[nfbcs] [Iabs-talk] Plug and Braille with HandyTech Easy Braille!

[Dave Wright]

       Monday, March 09, 2009
       For Immediate Distribution

       Sales contact:
       Earle Harrison
       651-636-5184 ext 801
       earle at handytech.us



       Plug and Braille with Handy Tech Easy Braille!
       On December 11, 2008, Serotek announced via the Serotek blog 
their endorsement of the Accessibility Anywhere Based Braille Display 
petition to Braille display manufacturers created and written by 
George McDermith. This petition urges Braille display manufacturers 
to do-away with proprietary drivers and instead use standard, 
mainstream technologies that will drive these devices regardless of 
the screen reader being used.

       As an avid Braille reader myself, I am proud to be a signer of 
this petition. We at Handy Tech North America support Mr. McDermith's 
efforts with respect to this matter and in order to demonstrate our 
commitment to the cause, we are pleased to announce the Handy Tech 
Plug and Braille initiative with the introduction of Easy Braille 
with HID support.

       HID stands for Human Interface Device and is the open standard 
for plug and play devices such as keyboards and mice. The HID 
protocol requires no separate software installations in order for 
these devices to work. Now Braille readers can simply plug-in their 
Handy Tech Easy Braille with HID support and gain immediate Braille 
access regardless of their chosen screen reader.

       Although Easy Braille with HID support has been several months 
in the making prior to Mr. McDermith's petition, his timing is 
perfect as it affords Handy Tech the opportunity to demonstrate that 
we are once again on the leading edge when it comes to giving 
customers the tools they need when they need them.

       For over a year now, Handy Tech customers have enjoyed the 
ability to walk up to one of millions of Apple computers and gain 
immediate grade two Braille access simply by plugging in their Handy 
Tech Braille display.
       Handy Tech is pleased to now offer the same freedom of access 
on the Microsoft Windows side or on any other platform that supports 
the HID protocol.

       Combine this new Plug and Braille development with the high 
quality and ergonomic design for which Handy Tech products are known 
worldwide, and enjoy a flexible and reliable Braille solution for 
many years to come in the Handy Tech Easy Braille.

       "I don't believe that people should be penalized because of 
the screen reader they use," says Sigi Kipke, Managing Director of 
Handy Tech GmbH in Horb, Germany, the manufacturers of Handy Tech 
Braille products. Kipke further stresses the importance of access to 
portable electronic Braille by stating that Braille products should 
not be viewed as some obscure technology used by just a few blind 
people, rather it should be viewed as a progressive and innovative 
technology that gives Braille readers the same advantages and 
opportunities as print readers.

       Although Easy Braille with HID support is slated for release 
in May of 2009, Handy Tech representatives from both European and 
North American offices will be demonstrating this exciting new 
development at this year's California State University Northridge 
Center on Disabilities 24th Annual Technology and Persons with 
Disabilities Conference, otherwise known as CSUN.

       Please join us in the exhibit hall at booth 302 of the 
Marriott LAX hotel where we will be enthusiastically demonstrating 
the following products:

         a.. Easy Braille with new HID support.
         b.. The new Handy Tech Braille driver for Nuance Talks which 
allows for the input of grade two Braille among other things.
         c.. The powerful netbook computer and Braille display 
options available from Handy Tech North America which does away with 
the out-dated notion that technology for blind people must be based 
on a closed and proprietary platform.
         d.. Last but not least, the latest developments around the 
exciting Active Tactile Control (ATC) technologies that actually 
senses the user's fingers on the Braille display and responds 
accordingly based on reading behaviors. This ground breaking 
technology is useful for Braille readers of all skill levels.
       If you have questions about these or other adaptive technology 
solutions available from Handy Tech North America, please contact our 
sales office at: 651-636-5184 or e-mail: sales at handytech.us.

       Handy Tech North America, once again living up to our slogan 
"It's all about adapting!"




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Best Regards:
David Wright

Email: dwrigh6 at gmail.com
Mobile: 512-203-2474

http://www.knfbreader.com