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Re: screen reader open source?

for

From: Joshue O Connor
Date: Nov 22, 2006 8:50AM

>> I don't think that day will come not because of Microsoft but because of
>> anti-trust legislation particularly in the EU. Anytime Microsoft adds
>> something to the OS that there is already a third party solution it seem the
>> EU slaps a fine on or demands that it not be included in any OS version
>> released in Europe.

I hadn't considered that, and you are right that it could be an issue.
It would be great PR for Microsoft though, I can see the headlines.
"Uncle Bill wants to help blind users by including a native screen
reader but evil EU denies them in 'inhumane' anti-trust case."

Its good spin. (Maybe I should CC this to MS?)

Gareth said:

> I doubt that the EU would be unsympathetic to the argument that a screenreader is required to fulfil accessibility requirements.
>Microsoft could argue, rightly, that by denying them the right to include screenreading software out of the box, the EU is denying them
>the ability to meet it's own (or member states') accessibility legislation.

Thats also good spin :)

Anyway, bashing Microsoft for bundling the media player is obviously the
more acceptable face of anti-trust legislation.

Josh


Cheryl D Wise wrote:
> I don't think that day will come not because of Microsoft but because of
> anti-trust legislation particularly in the EU. Anytime Microsoft adds
> something to the OS that there is already a third party solution it seem the
> EU slaps a fine on or demands that it not be included in any OS version
> released in Europe.
>
> You have somewhat better luck with Apple since the European Commission
> doesn't seem to see any problem with Apple adding features to the OS.
>
> Note: I own both Windows and Apple computers so don't think I'm OS bashing
> here.
>
>
> Cheryl D Wise
> WiserWays LLC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joshue O Connor
>
>
> Maybe the fact that Microsoft have
> improved Narrator in Vista (and lets face it, that wouldn't be hard)
> will mean that the development of a fully featured native screen reader
> embedded in the OS could become a reality; In the year 2525.
>
> At the ICCHP conference this year I did seriously suggest to Rob
> Sinclair that Microsoft should just go ahead and buy Freedom Scientific
> and merge JAWS with the Windows OS. Ain't gonna happen, but they have
> the cash, so all you can do is ask. Or how about a higher spec version
> of Windows for people with disabilities that has more developed AT apps
> like a screen reader (licensed from FS or GW Micro) built in?
>
>
>


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