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

[charles crawford]

	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
>
>