-
Thank
you very much, Dr. Maurer, for hosting this event. And,
it's great to be here at this International Braille and
Technology Center . . . the world's largest and most extensive
center for demonstrating and evaluating technologies that
serve the needs of the blind.
-
On
behalf of Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, I want to acknowledge
the Federation's previous work with the Commerce Department/NIST,
and emphasize how excited we are about the continuation
of the partnership . . . I understand that Federation
members will provide "field testing" of the
remarkable technology being showcased today.
-
There
are over 50 million Americans with disabilities . . .
and the New Freedom Initiative aims to tear down the barriers
to equality that confront many of them everyday. The Initiative
is focused on increasing the development of and access
to assistive and universally designed technologies, expanding
educational opportunities, further integrating Americans
with disabilities into the workforce, and helping remove
barriers to full participation in community life.
-
We
know, for example, that the unemployment rate for Americans
with disabilities is very high - around 70%. This is unacceptable
- we must reduce that staggering statistic . . . not only
because millions of Americans with disabilities want and
deserve good jobs . . . but also because American businesses
need the productivity and creativity of all citizens to
innovate and make our economy grow. We are strongly committed
to this idea at the Commerce Department, and throughout
the federal government. Just last week I participated
in an event with several other agencies at which we unveiled
a new web site, www.disabilityinfo.gov . . . a comprehensive
source for information about disability-related government
resources.
-
Devices
like this and others developed with federal dollars allow
the blind to participate in the information revolution.
They are prime examples of what we can do, through collaboration
and cutting-edge government research, to improve the lives
of all Americans and enable economic growth . . . and
they are exactly the types of assistive technologies that
the New Freedom Initiative encourages.
-
The
machine uses about 3,600 small pins that can be raised
in any pattern, and then locked into place. And the display
is refreshable, allowing a person to feel a series of
images on the reusable surface.
-
And
that's what we're celebrating here today. The collaboration
between the Commerce Department and the NFB will help
prepare this device to move to the next level … and
eventually, through the private sector's further development
and product commercialization, it will be in the homes,
schools, and workplaces of those who will greatly benefit
from it.
-
I
know that Federation members put an early version of NIST's
rotating-wheel Braille reader through its paces and gave
the designers valuable ideas for making that device more
user-friendly and effective. Today, the current Braille
reader is ready for licensing by the company or companies
that can bring this low-cost, powerful tool to the marketplace.
-
In
just one moment, I'm going to ask John Roberts, the NIST
project leader, and Curtis Chong, Director of Technology
for the Federation, to demonstrate this graphic display
device for you.
-
But
before I do that, let me again thank everyone at the Federation
for your participation today and for your on-going partnership
. . . and I want to thank NIST for the great work that
our researchers are doing there . . . All of us are working
together to expand education and employment opportunities
for Americans with disabilities . . . to allow all Americans
to pursue their dreams. This important work will benefit
us all.
 Go
back to NIST News Page
|
