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SiRecognizer UMPC is the world’s first portable system able to recognise flat and solid objects. SiRecognizer integrates the best hardware technology with advanced software strategies. A powerful PC as small as a palm device and with the versatility of Windows XP, allows information retrieval anytime, anywhere, in any situation. The powerful software along with the digital camera allows you to recognise any object, regardless of its shape or perspective. Two powerful speakers, a headphone jack and a stereo microphone make a perfect companion for everyday life. A joystick and seven special keys make the system completely accessible and independent.

SiRecognizer UMP Home Page

Eye-related diseases and sight issues are a major problem in developing countries. Extreme poverty and restricted access to medical care are the main causes behind this situation. According to research conducted by the World Health Organisation, low and middle-income countries are home to around 90% of the world's blind and visually-impaired population. Furthermore, at least 80% of these cases could be prevented by simple surgical procedures or better access to medicines. The leading cause of blindness in developing countries is cataracts - an eye-disease that in the UK is easily-treated with inexpensive surgery. However, in the developing world, only 20% of those who need this operation can actually afford it.

Charles Bonnet Syndrone (CBS) is a condition in which vivid, complex visual hallucinations occur in mentally healthy people. Most who are affected by this are people with visual impairments. The exact cause of Charles Bonnet Syndrome is not presently known, but the popular theory suggests that the brain is merely attempting to compensate for a shortage of visual stimuli. The website "Damn Interesting" does indeed have a very interesting article on CBS. You can read the CBS article here.

A little known feature of google maps is the ability to get directions in a format readable by screen readers. This simple demonstration will provide a route from whatever location is placed into the form box direct to my office in Launceston. With JAWS open, press Insert + F5 and select the "Your address" field. You will need to include your street address, followed by the city you are in. On the results page, you can use the "link to this page" in the same way skip to content is normally used to get to the directions. Give it a go!

Google is the first point of call for most web users and most JAWS users. While the page is relatively accessible, it contains many links that aren't useful to a screen reader. Press Insert + F7 on google's homepage, and you'll be greeted with a huge list of "similar" and "cached" links, various numbers out of context and advertising listed at the top.

About 18 months ago there was excitement when they released a specific accessible search site. This site works better with JAWS, stripping out the ads, removing the similar links, but the emphasis is on finding results that are accessible, not acutally making the page fully accessible. E.g. Results won't include any sites with 100 inaccessible flash movies in 14 frames.