Microsoft and assistive technology (AT) vendors have unveiled an array of innovative products and services for people with disabilities at the Assistive Technology Industry Association's eighth annual conference. The products will be available when Microsoft launches the Windows Vista operating system and the 2007 Microsoft Office release next Tuesday.

"Today marks the culmination of a process that began almost two years ago, when we brought over 30 AT companies into our labs to give them a first look at Windows Vista," said Rob Sinclair, director of Microsoft's Accessible Technology Group. "We've made these companies an integral part of our development process, and as a result an unprecedented number will have updated versions of their products available simultaneously with the launch of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release."

Disabled customers usually had to wait six, 12 or even 18 months for assistive software and devices that supported a newly released operating system. But, due to close collaboration with the AT industry as well as advances in the underlying technology in Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release, customers who experience a range of physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities will be able to purchase the very latest in assistive technology without delay. This includes products such as screen readers, screen magnification, one-handed keyboards and other specialized input devices.

"In the past it's been challenging for the AT community to ship updated versions of our products in a timely fashion following the release of a new version of Windows(R) or Office," said Doug Geoffray of GW Micro Inc., which develops the screen reader Window-Eyes to assist people who are blind. "But because Microsoft has done such a good job collaborating with us during the development process of Windows Vista and the 2007 Office release, there is a lot of confidence and excitement in the AT industry about the launch of these new products."

Windows Vista includes built-in accessibility settings and programs that make it easier for users to see, hear and use their computer. Microsoft invested more than three years of research to better understand the needs of people who experience a wide range of physical challenges that affect their computer use. The accessibility settings and programs in Windows Vista are particularly helpful to people with visual difficulties; hearing loss; pain, spasticity or paralysis in their hands or arms; or reasoning and cognitive issues. Major accessibility improvements in Windows Vista include the new Ease of Access Center, where customers may purchase Windows Vista-compatible AT products via the Windows Marketplace, and state-of-the-art speech recognition and magnification capabilities. A list of companies whose products are Windows Vista-ready can be found here.

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