New Delhi – 13th February, 2014: Microsoft India today announced the free availability of GW Micro’s Window-Eyes screen reader for users of any version of Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2013 as well as an Office 365 subscription. Window-Eyes enables people who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled to have full access to Windows PCs and makes the computer accessible via speech and/or Braille. This newly introduced offering is reflective of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers to access to technology and enabling people to be productive in both, their work and personal lives. The software can be downloaded from www.windoweyesforoffice.com.
Window-Eyes can be used to verbalize or speak everything on the screen aloud including text, menu, control buttons and other computing commands. Further, Window-Eyes allows the user to customize the audio output as per their comfort.
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• Lokesh Mehra, Director- Education and Advocacy, Microsoft India – Panel on Education and Persons with Disabilities – How ICT can be an enabler? • Joseph Landes, General Manager- DPE, Microsoft India – Innovating to create the next generation of Accessible Technology • James Thurston, Director International Accessibility Policy, Microsoft- Global Trends and Best Practices in Accessibility Policy: An Industry Perspective |
“In a country of more than 70 million disabled people, Microsoft is focused on providing easy access to technology to the underserved. Our partnership with Techshare India 2014 reinforces our efforts to take the benefits of computing to a larger set of people across the country. With Window-Eyes we know that the visually impaired people will get access to technology and solutions that give them choice, while meeting a variety of accessibility needs at an affordable price,” said Arun Rajamani, Head – Public Sector & Education, Microsoft India.
The announcement was made at the 4th edition of Techshare India, held at the India Habitat Centre this week, by Stefan Sjöström, Vice President – Public Sector, Microsoft Asia, as part of his keynote address. The event focuses on implementation of new and inclusive technologies with an aim to address needs of the people with disabilities. An experiential demo booth simulating three different scenarios – workplace, student life, and home use – is set-up by Microsoft to showcase the accessibility features across its connected devices and services. Microsoft is also participating in several panel discussions on issues such as education and advocacy for the disabled, innovation for accessible technology, and trends and policy shifts vis-à-vis disability.
Shilpi Kapoor, Managing Director, BarrierBreak and organizer of Techshare India 2014, said, “Disability is one of the bigger social issues India is grappling with, and needs to be addressed through not just policy, but also technology solutions. Techshare India 2014 is a great forum that brings together multiple stakeholders to discuss technology solutions for the disabled. Microsoft’s announcement of the availability of Window-Eyes with Office 2010, 2013 and Office 365 is a great offer for the visually impaired.”
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 6,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research and development and customer services and support, across nine Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. Microsoft is committed to touching and transforming lives and businesses in India through technology.
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