[access-uk] CashManager
- From: "Peter Beasley" <pjbeasley@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:25:24 -0000
The item below might well be of interest to some people on this list.
Monday, 16 February 2009
CashManager
In what is believed to be a world first, a New Zealand software company,
Accomplish Ltd
, has created accounting software specially modified to enable efficient use
by the
blind and visually impaired.
"We're told this is the first accounting software in the world that has
stood up
in user tests by blind people," said the company's general manager, Grant
Hewson,
at the launch of the 2009 edition of its CashManager software. "Obviously,
this is
attracting a lot of interest from organisations serving the blind and
visually impaired,
not only in New Zealand, but also in Australia, the United Kingdom and the
USA.
"It's really an example of Kiwi ingenuity helping to solve a global problem
in terms
of providing good access to the benefits of modern technology for blind
people, as
well for the movement impaired."
The accessibility of the product is endorsed by Neil Jarvis, Executive
Director,
Access, Innovation and Enterprise for the Royal New Zealand Foundation of
the Blind,
who comments: "We welcome any move which improves accessibility and equality
for
blind and partially sighted people,"
Jarvis adds: "In December last year, we undertook a software audit of
CashManager
2009, examining a series of tasks by sighted and blind testers who don't
usually
use financial software. It worked well with adaptive technology software
and, in
terms of accessibility, we're happy to recommend the product to blind or
partially
sighted people for managing their small business finances."
Jarvis explains that blind people use screen reading software which
verbalises letters
or numerals as they are typed, and verbalises the position of the cursor in
pull-down
menus or in dialogue or command boxes. Screenreaders and magnifiers are also
used
by people who are partially sighted, along with font, colour and contrast
enhancements.
The software's development has been assisted by blind entrepreneur Terry
Bartlett,
of Dunedin (pictured above), who stumbled on CashManager while searching the
Web
for accounting software he could use when he started his own business two
years ago.
"I was taking a big risk going out on my own, and it was pretty scary,"
recalls the
Managing Director of Corner Enterprises Ltd. "I didn't know how I was going
to be
able to write quotes, or send out invoices, let alone handle money,
reconcile bank
accounts, keep track of GST and taxes and so on."
Bartlett's business is based around teaching clients touch typing, designing
Web
pages, providing advice on IT and accessible technology, as well as
assisting customers
with property management and even organising coal and firewood deliveries.
Over time Bartlett jotted down ideas on how Accomplish could make the
software even
better for the blind or visually impaired user. "They responded very
positively,"
he says.
Hewson says Bartlett helped the company realise there was a new niche market
for
its software.
"Our technical and programming people were only too pleased to make the
improvements
he was suggesting, many related to everyday use by someone who is blind or
visually
impaired.
"Whilst driven by the needs of blind people, the changes suggested by Terry
and the
Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind have resulted in enhanced
usability for
all keyboard users. The changes indirectly benefit those with occupational
overuse
syndrome, limited mobility or simply a preference for using the keyboard,"
adds Hewson.
Originally founded in Australia almost 20 years ago, Accomplish today is
headquartered
in Auckland and serves some 25,000 small to medium business enterprises with
accounting
software designed specifically for New Zealand, Australian and United
Kingdom needs.
For additional information visit the link below.
http://www.netguide.co.nz/20090216895/sightless-accounting.php
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