[real-eyes] FW: GW Micro and Independence Science Make Science and Engineering Accessible to Blind Worldwide

From: "V Nork" <ginisd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:44:30 -0700
 

  _____  

From: gw-news@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:gw-news@xxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:12 AM
To: gw-news@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: GW Micro and Independence Science Make Science and Engineering
Accessible to Blind Worldwide

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


GW Micro and Independence Science Make Science and Engineering Accessible to
Blind Worldwide


Fort Wayne, Indiana (April 19, 2012) - GW Micro, Inc. (www.gwmicro.com) and
Independence Science (www.independencescience.com) are excited to announce a
collaborative effort to make science and engineering accessible to  students
who are blind around the world. 

A few years ago, the idea of students with visual impairments (VI) accessing
scientific laboratory equipment and performing advanced data analysis
independently was considered impossible, because most observations and
manipulations of data were presented in a visual way. Students who are blind
or visually impaired have been underrepresented in the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields due to the limitations of access
to scientific curricula in the classroom.  The new collaborative effort
between GW Micro and Independence Science strives to provide a solution that
will enable more students who are blind and visually impaired to enter the
STEM fields.

Research by Dr. Cary Supalo, Independence Science, and GW Micro has led to
the development of a text-to-speech package that acts as the missing link
between the technology and students who are visually impaired.

This comprehensive package is known as the ISci Lab Solution, which includes
the following hardware and software components:


Hardware:


*       Vernier LabQuest (stand-alone data collection interface)


Software:


*       ISci Voice Plug-in (for LabQuest)
*       Vernier Logger Pro (data collection and analysis application for PC)
*       Window-Eyes (an advanced screen reader application for PC)
*       Window-Eyes app for Logger Pro (enhances Logger Pro accessibility
with Window-Eyes)

The ISci Lab Solution enables students who are blind to participate in
hands-on learning activities with scientific data and curriculum. "We
envision a classroom that exhibits the full integration of students with VI
and reduces teacher anxiety about accommodating students during lab
activities," said Dr. Supalo, who is himself a blind scientist. "My
experience developing these access technologies has taught me that blindness
need not be a barrier in the pursuit of one's ambitions."

With the advanced technology of the Window-Eyes screen reading software, the
ISci Lab Solution is now available in multiple languages to enable science
access to the blind around the globe. This was not possible until the
release of the ISci Lab Solution package. For customers who already have
Window-Eyes or one of the other components, each individual component of the
ISci Lab Solution can be purchased separately. Additionally, various sensors
can be purchased from Independence Science that can collect various types of
data, such as temperature, force, or other information.

"We are very excited to bring this unique access solution to the market,
which will help school systems and post-secondary institutions provide
accessible science classrooms to the blind and visually impaired," said Dan
Weirich, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GW Micro.

GW Micro has been a trusted pioneer in the adaptive technology industry
since 1990, and continues to lead with innovative, customer driven
solutions.

Independence Science is the leading developer of accessible technology for
students with visual impairments in the science laboratory. ISci research is
funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

To take advantage of special introductory pricing, please contact GW Micro
or Independence Science at the following:

GW Micro
Phone: (260) 489-3671 
Email: sales@xxxxxxxxxxx 
Web: www.gwmicro.com

Independence Science
Phone: (866) 862-9665
Email: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: www.independencescience.com

###



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[real-eyes] FW: GW Micro and Independence Science Make Science and Engineering Accessible to Blind Worldwide

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