Optelec Launches New Wireless Braille Assistant at ATIA 2006

Today, Optelec US Inc., a member of the Optelec Group, announced its launch of its newly designed EasyLink 12 refreshable Braille Assistant at the ATIA 2006 Conference, Orlando, Florida, January 18-21. Optelec will be debuting EasyLink 12, an expansion of its EasyLink efforts which began in April, 2005. EasyLink 12 presents the end user a wireless Braille keyboard with a 12 cell refreshable Braille display designed to give persons who are blind wireless access to their PCs, PDAs and smart phones.

This ultra-portable 12 cell Wireless Braille Assistant places the key benefits of both a Braille display and Notetaker in the hands of the mobile Braille user. The EasyLink 12, weighing only 9 ounces, is compatible with all desktop and pocket screenreaders. In addition to EasyLink’s globally acclaimed Braille keyboard, the EasyLink 12 includes a 12 cell refreshable Braille display as well as two navigation keys and a joystick for effortless navigation throughout menus, dialog boxes, and application windows. With its compact size of 5.9 inches long x 3.8 inches wide x 0.8 inches thick, Optelec’s EasyLink 12 offers all essential benefits that PDA, mobile phone and laptop users require to be successful in countless capacities.

Dolphin’s desktop and Mobile software provide a means by which individuals can either write Braille information to these specific devices as well as review the output of these devices via the crisp responsive Braille synonymous with Optelec’s longstanding refreshable Braille cell manufacturing prowess. Dolphin Computer Access has created the world’s first full screen reader for the Windows Mobile environment with crisp, responsive Acapela text to speech output and unparalleled refreshable Braille support, and Optelec will be demonstrating this software’s Mobile capabilities when used with EasyLink 12.

“Optelec is very excited to be launching this innovative access solution” states Jim Denham, Optelec’s National Sales Manager, Dolphin Products. “Pocket Hal, combined with hardware such as the EasyLink Braille solution revolutionizes the way in which users can access information and enables them to fully participate in today’s ever-growing mobile information society. By allowing users to benefit from a number of PDAs and selecting a device that they wish to pair with that PDA, Dolphin is opening up possibilities that those of us who are visually impaired have never had before.”

“It’s exhilarating to be a part of this EasyLink effort as it expands into the world of portable, wireless refreshable Braille,” stated Larry Lewis, President, Blindness Products Sales, Optelec US. “Such an effort truly offers the end user portability, flexibility, and affordability as he/she chooses the components necessary to construct an accessible environment in the classroom, workplace, or within his/her community.”

Optelec will be demonstrating EasyLink 12 at the Caribe Royale Resort, ATIA 2006 along with the newly released Pocket Hal screen reader with EasyLink support and Acapela speech output, and invite all attendees of the conference to experience Optelec’s “link to the mainstream”.

Source: Optelec US