[odf-discuss] IBM project aims to help blind use ODF applications

[Jean Hollis Weber]

Lots of good articles are now available, including these which I 
have added to our website's News page:

14 Dec 2006

IBM Helps Disabled Users Get More From Assistive Technology, on 
More Computer Platforms
http://studio.financialcontent.com/Engine?Account=iwire&PageName=NEWSREAD&ID=3782103&Ticker=IBM&SOURCE=06194626.nitf
"IBM today announced that it has developed software interfaces 
that will make it easier for assistive technologies to provide 
those with disabilities access to advanced features in software 
programs -- such as ... desktop applications based on the 
OpenDocument Format."

The Free Standards Group to Standardize New Accessibility Interfaces
http://www.freestandards.org/wordpress/?p=276
"The Free Standards Group (FSG), the standardization and 
certification authority for Linux, today announced that it will 
be developing and maintaining software interfaces donated by IBM 
as an open standard, available for all to use. The standardized 
interfaces, IAccessible2..."

Showing the Accessibility Way: IBM Contributes Project Missouri 
to the Free Standards Group, Consortium Standards Blog
http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20061214050334512
Commentary and discussion.

13 Dec 2006
IBM project aims to help blind use ODF applications, Elizabeth 
Montalbano, IDG News Service
http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/12/13/HNibmblindodf_1.html
"When Massachusetts' government decided to use Open Document 
Format (ODF) as the default document file format throughout its 
agencies, a key concern was that ODF would not allow the visually 
impaired to use assistive computer technologies. On Wednesday, 
IBM said it has helped solve that problem by developing 
technology that will allow applications based on ODF to better 
communicate with products used by the blind to access visual 
information on computer screens."

--Jean