I hope the software is accessible. -- charlie. On Fri, 2 Aug 2002, Buddy Brannan wrote: > *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 > >
