*Choke* *Gag* *Splutter* *Splort* *Hurl* *Retch* ----- Forwarded message from David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com> ----- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Long" <marklon at MICROSOFT.COM To: <program-l at LISTSERV.NAS.NET Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 6:40 PM Subject: Admittedly off topic Well, Bill gets such bad press, I thought that it was only fair that I reported some good copy for once. Microsoft founder Gates to receive award for advancing the cause of the blind TORONTO, Aug 01, 2002 (The Canadian Press via COMTEX) -- Microsoft founder Bill Gates will become only the third person to receive a prestigious award for work with the blind later this month. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, in conjunction with the World Blind Union, announced Thursday that Gates will be awarded the Louis Braille Gold Medal, given to individuals who have made an exemplary commitment to advancing the rights and freedoms of blind people around the world. The presentation will be made when Gates attends a business and technology conference here Aug. 20. Gates will receive the award in recognition of Microsoft Canada's contribution to developing the CNIB digital library system, including the Children's Discovery Portal, an online community where children and youth who are blind and visually impaired can - using voice technology - access information previously only available to their sighted peers. "Only three per cent of all published material in Canada is available in a format that blind students can use, putting children who are blind and visually impaired at a huge disadvantage and at serious risk of falling behind their peers," said CNIB president Jim Sanders. "The Children's Discovery Portal is a first in the world - other libraries will be looking to Canada to use this technology as a template." Microsoft Canada has committed $2.5 million to the CNIB's $33-million national campaign to digitize its library, which will eventually allow CNIB clients access to thousands of new books. Previous recipients of the Louis Braille Gold Medal are Thomas Leavy, president of the International Postal Union, in recognition of the free mailing of braille and talking books which benefits blind people worldwide and Princess Lalla Lamia of Morocco, in recognition of that country's considerable efforts in the prevention of blindness and support of the World Blind Union -- Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV/3 | And if the ground yawned, Phone: (814) 455-7333 | I'd step to the side and say, Email: davros at ycardz.com | "Hey ground! I'm nobody's lunch!" http://www.ycardz.com/ | --Eddie From Ohio
