Madeline SchwartzWindows Vista Aspires to Compatibility with Assistive Tecnology for PWDs
December 10th 2006 01:56
Innovation through Collaboration: Microsoft and AT Companies Work Together to Make Windows Vista More Accessible
Microsoft's Assistive Technology Vendor Program makes AT companies part of the product development process at Microsoft
People worldwide are eagerly awaiting the release of Windows Vista, the new computer operating system from Microsoft that will provide unparalleled security and functionality. Yet for millions of people with disabilities and age-related impairments, the release of a new operating system or major application often has created more anxiety than excitement due to compatibility issues with assistive technology.
Why? Because, historically, such advances have left people with disabilities—who often require the use of assistive technology (AT) to access their computers—wondering whether the AT products will work well with the new technology, or how long it will take AT manufacturers to develop compatible versions of their software and devices—a process that can easily take 12-18 months from the time a new operating system or an application is released.
With the release of Windows Vista (available to consumers January 30, 2007), people who rely on assistive technology products will find that many of their AT products are already compatible with Windows Vista due to months of preparation by Microsoft and many assistive technology manufacturers.
Microsoft's Assistive Technology Vendor Program makes AT companies part of the product development process at Microsoft
People worldwide are eagerly awaiting the release of Windows Vista, the new computer operating system from Microsoft that will provide unparalleled security and functionality. Yet for millions of people with disabilities and age-related impairments, the release of a new operating system or major application often has created more anxiety than excitement due to compatibility issues with assistive technology.
Why? Because, historically, such advances have left people with disabilities—who often require the use of assistive technology (AT) to access their computers—wondering whether the AT products will work well with the new technology, or how long it will take AT manufacturers to develop compatible versions of their software and devices—a process that can easily take 12-18 months from the time a new operating system or an application is released.
With the release of Windows Vista (available to consumers January 30, 2007), people who rely on assistive technology products will find that many of their AT products are already compatible with Windows Vista due to months of preparation by Microsoft and many assistive technology manufacturers.
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