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February 1998
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February 1998
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Pitney Bowes Office Systems is developing a "Universal Access" copier.
TRUMBULL, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 1998--
Pitney Bowes Office Systems, a division of Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI), is currently developing its first Universal Access Copier System to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities.
The new system will join Pitney Bowes' 1998 award-winning product line and marks the company's first use of assistive technologies in an office product.
For people with visual disabilities, the 23-page-per-minute system incorporates advanced speech recognition technology, an extra large, touch screen interface, and Braille labeling on the control panel. To accommodate operators in wheelchairs, the system is lower to the ground than conventional office copiers, and the angle of the display panel has been adjusted.
"The Universal Access Copier System will be especially valuable to schools, libraries, municipal buildings and in the offices of disabled workers," said Dennis Roney, president of Pitney Bowes Office Systems. "To provide easy access, the copier can be controlled in a variety of ways. Voice activation, touch screen, keyboard and keypad interfaces allow users to choose how they prefer to operate the system."
Using voice activation, operators can adjust settings such as the number of copies, sorting, stapling, reductions or enlargements. The copier will "talk back" to confirm the settings. The same functions can be made by using a large touch screen color monitor which will rest next to the machine. The size and location of the monitor is convenient for wheelchair users, and touch selections can be made with fingers or pointing sticks. The copier control panel and document feeder are located at desk height, putting them within reach of operators in wheelchairs.
The Canton-based Massachusetts Hospital School began testing the first prototype in mid-October of 1997. The school combines the disciplines of medicine, education, recreation and rehabilitation to provide a supportive and adaptive learning program for physically disabled children and young adults. As the testing continues, design recommendations from the school's students and staff will be forwarded to the Pitney Bowes Technology Center for incorporation.
"Our students are very excited about the Universal Access Copier System, because it's the first time many of them have been able to operate a copier," said Jack Britt, chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Hospital School. "It's hard to describe the smiles on their faces when they make the copier work. Many have severe muscle degeneration and speech problems, and the copier responds very well.
"The students are using the Universal Access Copier System to complete homework assignments and administrative work in our school's office. There is strong potential for vocational job training with the Pitney Bowes copier system," Britt added.
Like all Pitney Bowes copiers and copier/printers, the Universal Access Copier System is protected by VAMS(TM), a unique Value Added Maintenance Service(TM) which replaces worn parts before breakdowns can occur, and ACESS(SM) which uses wireless computers to match copiers to a nearby technician within seconds of receiving a service call.
Pitney Bowes is a $3.9 billion provider of products and services that support the efficient management of messages and packages in physical and digital form. For more information about the company, try a visit to the website at
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