MADENTA ANNOUNCES LICENSING DEAL WITH MICROSOFT
(Canada Newswire; 01/12/98)
EDMONTON, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - Madenta Communications Inc. today announced an
agreement with Microsoft Corporation, of Redmond, Wash., that will allow
Microsoft to package a version of Madenta's industry leading onscreen keyboard
- ScreenDoors II - with future Windows operating systems.
Need for Accessibility in Cyberspace
Education and legislation have improved accessibility for the disabled in
recent years. Curb cuts, automatic door openers, and many public areas
displaying the "handicapped" symbol (such as parking stalls and public
washrooms) are a few examples of changes that are now commonplace. No such
standards exist in cyberspace.
"The fact is, cyberspace is the one community where those with physical
disabilities are on an even playing field with the rest of the world" says
Randy Marsden, Madenta's President and CEO. Madenta is a pioneer of computer
access tools for the disabled, so when the Accessibility Team at Microsoft
began working on accessibility enhancements to its next generation of Windows,
Madenta was a logical resource.
"Microsoft believes that the addition of Madenta's onscreen keyboard to
Windows is a key improvement to our features for people with disabilities. Our
goal is to allow people to be able to have access to any computer by having
basic accessibility functions built into the operating system," said Luanne
LaLonde, accessibility product manager at Microsoft. "Most people will still
need specialized products customized for their own use, but when they need to
use other computers, such as at public libraries or kiosks, they will have an
onscreen keyboard built in to do basic tasks."
ScreenDoors II Lite
The software licensed by Microsoft is called ScreenDoors Lite, and will be
called OnScreen Keyboard in upcoming versions of Windows. Madenta developed
this `lite' version of ScreenDoors II specifically for inclusion with future
Windows operating systems. ScreenDoors II Lite includes basic onscreen
keyboard functions, but lacks many of the advanced features found in the full
shipping version of ScreenDoors II, available from Madenta. Windows users of
the Lite product can upgrade to the full function version through a direct
link to Madenta contained in the software.
Marsden states "We're delighted both at Microsoft's initiative to enhance
Accessibility Options in Windows, and at the fact that they chose Madenta's
software to be part of that. This is further evidence of Madenta's position
as a world leader in Assistive Technology".
About Madenta
Founded in 1989, Madenta Communications Inc. (ASE: MA) is a world leader in
Assistive Technology. The company engineers, sells and supports a wide range
of products for computer access and environmental control, `enabling
extraordinary people to do ordinary things'.
Madenta, ScreenDoors II and ScreenDoors II Lite are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Madenta in Canada and/or other countries.
Website: http://www.madenta.com
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