AI Squared and GW Micro collaboration

Feb-08-2007

A milestone has been set in the assistive technology industry.  Today, Ai Squared, developer of ZoomText screen magnification software and GW Micro, developer of Window-Eyes screen reading software announced that both applications could be installed and run together at the same time on the new Windows Vista operating system, providing never-before-seen access to a new operating system for blind and visually impaired consumers.

For those outside of the assistive technology field, many would ask, “Why is this such a great accomplishment?”  For years, there have been difficulties trying to make new Windows operating systems accessible to visually impaired consumers due to problems and compatibility issues.  However today, for the first time ever, two assistive technology companies collaborated to make sure that these types of problems are a thing of the past for blind and visually impaired consumers.

GW Micro recently made history by distributing a version of Window-Eyes available to all blind consumers that would work under Windows Vista on the same day that Vista shipped to the general public.  “This is the first time ever in the history of computers that a full-fledged screen reader is available to work on a new Windows operating system on the same day that it ships,” said Doug Geoffray, Vice President of Product Development for GW Micro.  “A blind or visually impaired consumer could go down to their local electronics store, buy a computer, and have access to it on the same day Vista came out, just like their sighted counterparts.  This is absolutely ground-breaking!”

Ai Squared followed closely behind GW Micro, and provided the first screen magnifier to provide support for Windows Vista.  “We are very pleased to have met the challenge of providing Vista access to low-vision computer users,” said Jost Eckhardt, Ai Squared’s Director of Development.  “It has been well worth the long and arduous effort developing ZoomText in parallel with this new operating system.”

Behind the scenes, GW Micro and Ai Squared work closely together to make sure that the two applications will install and run together at the same time under Windows Vista without problems.  This allows a consumer that has low vision to use the magnification of ZoomText, and the speech provided by Window-Eyes.  “As an example, this is an excellent solution for visually impaired consumers with Retinitis Pigmentosa that need to shift from screen magnification to speech or Braille output,” said Dan Weirich, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for GW Micro.

“Although our two companies are completely independent of one another, we feel we are obligated to make new technology accessible to visually impaired consumers,” said Shawn Warren, Director of Product Support.  “That means that cooperation between the two companies is essential to make sure that everything works properly.”

Ai Squared and GW Micro both agree that their cooperative efforts will improve the lives of millions of blind and visually impaired people around the globe.  In today’s climate of fierce competition between technology companies, this collaborative effort between Ai Squared and GW Micro is not only truly an unprecedented step forward in the assistive technology industry, but also in the overall landscape of technology.

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