Mac-cessibility Network For The Blind And Visually Impaired Is Launched

Los Angeles, CA    Aug 15, 2009 in Announcements

[prMac.com] Los Angeles, California - Mac-cessibility today announces the launch of the Mac-cessibility Network, a new collection of resources, services, and sites devoted to providing information pertaining to the accessibility of Apple products for the blind, visually impaired, and other disability groups, and connecting the people who use them.

The Mac-cessibility Network offers several distinct services. It provides news, podcasts, reviews, and commentary regarding Apple accessibility and related topics via its news outlet Lioncourt. It serves as a repository for information to assist the blind and visually impaired in the use of Apple products, as well as third-party applications for the Mac and iPhone platforms. It includes resources to inform potential users and educators on the Universal Access tools provided by Apple in its products. Finally, Mac-cessibility hopes to bring together the ever expanding community of blind and visually impaired users of the Mac, iPhone, and iPod product lines.

Apple Inc. has been making tremendous strides forward in their products where regards Universal Access features. These features provide access to devices that would otherwise be unusable by individuals with disabilities, such as the blind or visually impaired. Mac OS X is the only mainstream commercial operating System which provides a full-featured screen reader as part of the OS. The iPhone 3GS is the first smartphone which includes a screen reading solution that gives complete access to all the device's functionality.

The Mac-cessibility Network main site offers written guides to assist new visually impaired users to the Mac platform and the VoiceOver screen reader, as well as application-specific guides for both new or experienced users. It offers easy perusal of current topics from popular visually impaired online communities of Mac and iPhone users. Finally, it provides a large database of third-party resources of interest to its visitors.

Lioncourt.com is an online publication of the Mac-cessibility Network. It provides Apple related news, editorials, reviews, and commentary with a focus on accessibility. Additionally, the Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast is hosted by the Mac-cessibility Network's staff of editors and contributors to offer in depth discussions on the latest accessibility advancements from Cupertino and beyond.

The Mac-cessibility Network's iPhone section provides a list of VoiceOver compatible iPhone applications organized by category, including notes submitted by readers on access issues that may be encountered by VoiceOver users in those apps. An updated FAQ answers common questions poised by blind or visually impaired persons considering purchasing an iPhone 3GS.

The Mac-cessibility Network will continue to expand its services and content via its staff of dedicated editors and contributors. Several additional sections are currently under development, including a resource for visually impaired Mac and iPhone software developers.

The Mac-cessibility Network is a collection of resources, services, and sites for the blind, visually impaired, and other disability groups, utilizing products from Apple Inc. Its staff consists of many well-known accessibility advocates, including Darcy Burnard, Holly Anderson, Cara Quinn, Steve Sawczyn, Eric Troup, and Josh de Lioncourt. Lioncourt.com, its online news publication, was founded by Josh de Lioncourt and has been providing Apple accessibility news and commentary since 2007.

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Josh Johnson
Senior Editor
United States

Tags: Mac, iPhone, Accessibility, Blind, Visually Impaired, Network, Resource