| August, 2001 |
|
Internet Corner
New and innovative web service to improve social inclusion for all users of the www.
JustVanilla Ltd. announces a new web service with unparalleled usability and accessibility features. Now, Internet users can have a web based, rather than a browser based, ability to personalise the way in which web content appears on their screens. For the first time users can store their preferences on the web creating freedom of movement. As a result, the www can be made easier to use, faster, more inclusive and highly portable.
Amongst the many that will benefit from the new service are:
* Those who use the Internet every day for work including teleworkers, students, school pupils, businesses, journalists and researchers.
* People whose use of the Internet is restricted by social disadvantage simply by outdated, or in many cases not having access to a computer.
* Those with disabilities such as visual impairment, dyslexia, learning difficulties and reduced mobility.
* Carers, parents and professional support staff of people with disabilities.
* People and businesses located in remote rural areas with poor infrastructure and slow telecommunications services.
* The many elderly and other users to whom new technologies can seem intimidating.
There are over thirty (30) accessibility features incorporated into the service providing a choice of billions of combinations that may be configured to meet the diverse requirements of Internet users. For instance, over 40 colours (specially selected to provide a good range of contrasts for those with colour vision impairment) can be applied to screen background, text and hyperlinks in any combination. Font type can be varied and size increased/decreased dynamically on screen. Extra spacing can be inserted between words or even between individual letters within words. Paragraphs can be indented, all text transformed into capitals, and underlining removed from hyperlinks, which can also be made to glow. A narrow page option can be set, 'pop up' windows disabled, and flashing text and animations removed. All these and many more
The power of the JustVanilla service is further enhanced by an 'access gateway' which can optionally strip out graphics from any website, disable/enable frames, tables, scripts, and more. Virtually the entire contents of any web site can be delivered in text format at high speed with all the users preferences maintained. This 'access gateway', although designed specifically for blind and visually impaired users to disentangle complex web designs (which often prevent them from accessing and using many websites) can also bring major benefits to other web users.
Each JustVanilla user is allocated their own unique URL and four pages containing 'default' bookmarks for home, work, learning and shopping use.
A powerful Research Zone contains over 6000 important hyperlinks. The Zone supports new Internet users and focuses on sources of information and tutorial support. Current affairs are a major focus and over 300 news feeds are directly available. Searching the web is a major preoccupation often denied to people with disabilities. With JustVanilla, access to 'the Open Directory' is provided with results being returned in the user's preferences. The popular Google search engine and Xrefer, the powerful information cross referencing product, are also provided and can deliver results in the user's preferences through the 'access gateway'. Once located any website can be viewed in the user preferences by going through the 'access gateway'
The site also provides a comprehensive set of 'community features' such as web-based email, chat rooms, forum, classified advertisements, tutorials, and technical support. All these can be delivered according to the user's preferences. The designers believe that this will enable many to participate for the first time in a truly open and equal environment irrespective of their personal circumstances.
Many people with a disability suffer considerably from reduced freedom of movement. Portability has therefore featured prominently in the designers' minds. Because the JustVanilla service is web based the user's settings are always available to them wherever and whenever they access and use the Internet e.g. from public libraries, Internet cafes and kiosks.
Privacy and security also have played a significant part in the development of the site; i.e. cookies are not used, and may not be served by third parties from our site. Access to chat and forums is available only to registered users under their actual registered user name for which we hold the physical address.
The JustVanilla site has taken two years to develop. Throughout that time constant assessments have been carried out against the W3C accessibility guidelines and the site is 'Bobby' approved. The JustVanilla design does not slavishly follow standards, many of which are sadly not matched by browsers, but follows a strictly pragmatic solution. The site is very accessible even to old browsers because features such as cookies, Java, JavaScript, Flash, plug-ins etc, are not used.
The site contains no banner adverts and is available on an individual subscription basis. The Annual Subscription is $19.95 and there is a once only $20.00 set up fee. International subscribers will pay the same rates in their local currencies. In addition to revenue from subscriptions, areas on the site are being offered for corporate sponsorship and a shopping mall is planned for people with disabilities, which will be a further source of revenue.
The address of the site is http://www.justvanilla.com and it will open to the public from 1300 hrs GMT on Monday 25th June 2001.
-Ends-
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This facility will be available for a trial period of one month for journalists.
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For further information and pictures (print or mail attachment) please contact:
Technical enquiries to:
Offices:
BACKGROUND AND PROFILE OF THE FOUNDERS OF JUSTVANILLA LTD.
The challenge to develop JustVannila arose out of the founders' research into ways of improving Internet performance for small businesses and teleworkers situated in remote and rural parts of the country. Both founders of JustVanilla, Mike Hough and Mac Leckie, live in rural North Norfolk, an area of the country where there are scattered communities dispersed over a wide area with little public transport and poor communications. Broadband services are unlikely to reach such areas in the UK for some time. This condemns both individuals and rural businesses to higher costs and slower communications, which place them at a disadvantage to those who, enjoy better services in urban locations. By being uncompromising over setting and delivering a goal of simplicity in design over other factors, it was seen that additional markets could be addressed, particularly to many disadvantaged people and those who are disabled around the world.
Mike Hough, Managing Director.
Following time at Hull, Wolverhamton and Bath Universities, where he gained two first degrees and a masters, all in science disciplines, Mike Hough went on the become head of R&D at a major UK seed company.
Mac Leckie, Marketing Director.
THE DISABILITY MARKET
"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."
Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web
Please reply to:
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Hi Neighbor
Having a disability means different things to different people. Some take the daily challenges that accompany disease and illness in stride. Others struggle greatly. It has been debated that being born with a disability is easier than adapting to one that occurs later in life.
Among us are the pessimists, the optimists and all those who fall somewhere in between. Despite our individuality, we've been given one broad label. Under this large umbrella also come our life partners, children, parents, siblings and friends.
This site was built to provide the user with everything related to the lives of those of us who have been touched with disability by disease, illness or accident.
We also have a free weekly e-zine if you are interested.
AudiSoft has created AudiSee, the first and only audio and visual FM system. A technology designed by parents of a profoundly deaf child who are computer scientists by trade. They designed the AudiSee specifically to help hard of hearing students who use oral communication. We are situated in the Montreal area, and many schools and universities have used the AudiSee to help their hard of hearing students learn more effectively in the classroom.
I invite you to visit our website address www.audisoft.net You can even take a look at our demo http://www.audisoft.net/en/audisee/demo.html
Melanie Gudgeon
WeMedia's First Ever Talking Browser is Available Free Online
The response has been overwhelming. Now people all over the world are catching on. Version 1 of WeMedia's new talking browser is making headlines as it makes its way into the lives of people in the disability community.
The WeMedia talking browser is our latest development, designed specifically to help people with low vision and people with some learning disabilities use the Internet more easily. And we'd like you to try it out for free. Download our new talking browser now at www.Wemedia.com.
What's a talking browser?
You can go from link to link using the up and down arrows on your keyboard, and you can either select the text you would like to read, or let the browser read the entire page. There's a helpful tutorial page that can help you get started, and tell you more about how to use the keystroke commands to navigate the browser.
Help us make the WeMedia talking browser the best it can be. As with all applications designed to make the Internet easy, the first version is the feedback version. We'd like you to try the talking browser and let us know what you think. How does it work? How can we improve it to better meet your needs? Use the heck out of it. If you find bugs, or if we can make it more user-friendly, please let us know.
And, if you think it's helpful for you, we'd like to know that, too.
So get started. Download version 1 of WeMedia's talking browser now.
Right now, version 1 is only available for people who use personal computers (PCs) on Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, ME, 2000 or NT platforms. This first version of the browser is not compatible with
You'll need a Windows compatible sound card and speakers. You also need Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 4 or above on your machine. If you use AOL or Netscape, you will only be able to download this version of the browser if Internet Explorer is already installed on your system.
Keep in mind, download time for a 56k modem will be approximately 40 minutes.
We hope you'll find our new browser a useful tool for searching the Internet. It's just the beginning of more helpful resources to come from WeMedia.
This version of WeMedia's talking browser was developed exclusively for WeMedia Inc. by Customized Computer Software.
JustVanilla - a new web service for the blind
The design aim, which focussed on simplicity, usability and ease of access, will now allow new users of all ages and lifestyles to be able to access and use the www. The availability of this new service is one of the greatest practical contributions to the issues of social inclusion and reduction of the 'digital divide'.
features give the user the power to control and adapt the appearance of any information delivered to them. Once set, these preferences are maintained for future use whilst browsing the JustVanilla site. Furthermore, they can then be applied to the contents of the entire Internet.
These 'default' settings may be changed at any time to reflect their own requirements and changing interests.
PLEASE NOTE:
Journalists wishing to use and review the site free of charge should log on to:
http://www.justvanilla.com/cgibin/start/tpc1/index.html
General press enquiries to:
Mac Leckie, Marketing Director.
Tel: 01328 853 300
or 01328 855 033
Fax: 01328 855 865
Email: mac@justvanilla.com
Mike Hough, Managing Director.
Tel: 01362 683 790
Fax: 01328 855 865
Email: mike@justvanilla.com
JustVanilla Ltd., Manor House, Toftrees, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 7DZ
Seeking to expand his entrepreneurial skills he founded his own biotechnology company in 1978. Within a few years production was taking place on four continents and sales were worldwide. Compound turnover increase averaged 40% and a profitability growth of 229% was achieved. Considerable experience of the start up, and high growth, process was gained and successful negotiations completed for subsequent funding from: The National Research and Development Corporation, the British Technology Group, 3i, and various other venture capital organizations. More recently, as Mike Hough Associates, he has been carrying out consultancy work for client companies including the DTI and FCO. During this time branch offices in Romania and Portugal were established and, of necessity, he became a committed teleworker.
Mac Leckie has over 40 years experience in the international IT and telecommunications industries. During his career, he has worked in senior marketing, planning and management roles at ICL, Nortel and Groupe Bull. He has served on the Council of the British Computer Society (BCS), and was for many years Business Papers editor of the BCS Journal. He was a member of the DTI's Asia Pacific Advisory Group. Before devoting his efforts full time to developing JustVanilla Ltd., Mac ran his own management and marketing consultancy advising small businesses on IT applications including the implementation of e-business systems. He writes regularly on e-business matters for a local magazine. He is married with two daughters and has lived in North Norfolk for many years.
Although the number of people impacted by inaccessible computer and software design is difficult to calculate precisely worldwide as many as 500 million people have disabilities. In the US, that number is about 54 million or one in five Americans. In the European Union alone, at least 12% of the population have disabilities and may therefore face difficulties using conventional equipment. Furthermore, it is estimated that 45-65% of the EU's disabled population is of working ages (15-64 years). In the UK, there are approximately 8.3 million disabled people with a spending power of $40 billion.
Mac Leckie,
JustVanilla Ltd.,
Manor House, Toftrees, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 7DZ.
Tel: 01328 855 033 Fax:01328 855 865
Email: mac@justvanilla.com
Disability Directory
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Welcome :-)
Located at http://www.ezdp.org/dislab
AudiSee - audio and video FM system for the hard of hearing
AudiSoft Technologies inc.
tel: (450) 641-8436 / 1-877-641-8436
fax: (450) 641-3659
www.audisoft.net
Talking Browser from WeMedia.com
Different from a screen reader, the WeMedia talking browser becomes the actual browser through which you surf the Net. Complete with large buttons and keystroke commands for easy navigation, the browser 'speaks' the text you select within the browser.
Send your comments to techsupport@wemedia.com
But first, here are some things you need to know about how the application works on your computer:
the Mac platform.