[dandrews at visi.com: Fw: Admittedly off topic]

[Buddy Brannan]

*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