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Apple to Add Free Screen Reader to Mac OS X

Posted by pudge on from the accessibility-good dept.

Joe Clark writes "Screen readers for blind Mac users have been nonexistent since 2003 when development was halted on the only one in existence. On Windows they cost up to $1,295. This week, Apple announced the upcoming Spoken Interface for Mac OS X, the long-rumoured Apple screen reader and more, we are told. Apple is looking for beta-testers for this technology preview. Already, a developer muses that IBMs accessible Java software could work with the screen reader. No mention of Braille-display support yet, which many blind and deaf-blind people need and want."

10 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Cue the jokes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The story mentions people who are different from most others. The trolls will feast today.

    Hurrah for Apple.

  2. Re:You know what this means, folks... by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Funny
    Forcing blind people to install, configure and maintain a Linux distribution is tantamount to a human rights violation.

    And I say this as an avid Linux user.

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    IAALS.
  3. Braille? by DanThe1Man · · Score: 4, Funny

    No mention of Braille-display support yet, which many blind and deaf-blind people need and want

    If little glass bumps come shooting out of my monitor, I'm going to be scared.

  4. Beta testing by Killjoy_NL · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ok, to become a betatester, do I have to poke my eyes out ??

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    This is the sig that says NI (again)
    1. Re:Beta testing by SuperBanana · · Score: 2, Funny
      Ok, to become a betatester, do I have to poke my eyes out ??

      No. Push the power button on the monitor ;-)

      Or for iMac users and the like, you can buy the iSheet from Dr. Bott...a piece of super-thin semi-opaque fiberous wood material(made from only the best wood, mind you) complete with space-age fasteners(strips of plastic with adhesive on them!)

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      Please help metamoderate.
  5. Re:Macs for the blind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I could make a joke about cornering blind people, but is it even necessary?

  6. Re:Macs for the blind by Hektor_Troy · · Score: 4, Funny

    In other words - blind-siding the likes of Microsoft?

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    We do not live in the 21st century. We live in the 20 second century.
  7. Re:Curious by krymsin01 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, and as we learned from that movie, it's OK for the blind to drive vans.

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    stuff
  8. Cheap shot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    On Windows they cost up to $1,295.

    Yeah, and 486DXs with Linux on cost cost "up to" 50,000 dollars if you buy them from me.

  9. Re:Geez...your so stupid by zackeller · · Score: 2, Funny

    The blind are at a slight disadvantage at most video games... though it would explain some of the people online in UT2004.