RIM (Research In Motion) launched BlackBerry® Screen Reader, a free software application that helps customers who are blind or visually impaired operate their BlackBerry® smartphone. BlackBerry Screen Reader provides an audible output based
on visual information displayed on a BlackBerry smartphone.“We are excited to introduce BlackBerry Screen Reader as part of our suite of accessibility
solutions for BlackBerry smartphones,” said Greg Fields, Senior Product Manager. “BlackBerry Screen Reader helps customers with visual impairments stay
connected with the people and information that matter most to them, and is representative of RIM’s continuing commitment to support customers with disabilities.”Key
features of BlackBerry Screen Reader include:
1. Support for core applications – Users can easily access core BlackBerry applications including email, calendar, phone calls and more.
2. Speech settings – users can customize the text-to-speech settings (volume, pitch and speech rate) and preferences for punctuation, verbosity and password
security.
3. Keyboard shortcuts – Users can set speech and audio preferences quickly and easily through (physical) keyboard shortcuts
4. Accessible documentation – User Guide available in accessible HTML through a desktop web browser.
BlackBerry Screen Reader is available now as a free download from
www.blackberry.com/screenreader
for the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9350, 9360 and 9370 smartphones. The application is available in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. For information
about BlackBerry accessibility solutions for customers with disabilities, visit
www.blackberry.com/accessibility
Then, What happened to Oratio?
Oratio is a screenreader for blackberry from HumanWare. The following is the press release about discontinuation of Oratio for Blackberry.
HumanWare Announces Changes to Non-Visual Access Software for BlackBerry Smartphones with discontinuation of Oratio for BlackBerry
May 7, 2012 - Since 2008, HumanWare and Research In Motion (RIM) have worked together to help provide non-visual access to BlackBerry® smartphones. Today, HumanWare and RIM announced changes to assure availability of screen reader solutions for BlackBerry smartphones as part of both companies' continued commitment to accessibility.
With RIM's announcement today of the availability of the BlackBerry® Screen Reader from www.blackberry.com/screenreader, the Oratio screen reader application will no longer be available through HumanWare. Customers interested in screen reading solutions for BlackBerry smartphones can learn more about BlackBerry Screen Reader and other BlackBerry accessibility solutions at www.blackberry.com/accessibility or by contacting accessibility@rim.com. Oratio users can also reach HumanWare customer service representatives for any questions at hca.csr@humanware.com or by calling 1 800 722-3393.
"We are proud to have been at the forefront of non-visual access for BlackBerry smartphones and we commend RIM for their commitment to accessibility and for offering the new BlackBerry Screen Readerfor their customers. We encourage Oratio for BlackBerry customers to contact RIM to learn more about the BlackBerry Screen Reader," said Lucia Gomez, group brand manager at HumanWare.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited.
Below is the link to two podcasts exploring the blackberry home screen and the blackberry screenreader. You can download and play through your favourit media player. These are quick demos, not much explored.
Podcast 1
http://www.stuartlawler.ie/sites/default/files/bbs_intro.mp3
Podcast 2
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2748487/quick-demo-of-the-new-blackberry-screen-reader-enjoy-audio.mp3
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