Tech Shout!

Microsoft has launched a new software named Save as a DAISY XML add-in. The latest software is designed for Microsoft Office Word 2007, Word 2003 and Word XP, and will allow users to save Open XML-based text files into DAISY XML, the foundation of the globally accepted DAISY standard for reading and publishing navigable multimedia content.

The DAISY XML add-in software is developed through an open source project with Microsoft, Sonata Software Ltd. and the Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) Consortium.

Microsoft Office Word users can download the DAISY XML add-in software for free at http://www.openxmlcommunity.org/daisy.

Also, the newest version of the DAISY Pipeline is released today. The DAISY Pipeline supports the seamless conversion of DAISY XML into DAISY Digital Talking Book (DTB) format. Combined together, they can provide a complete solution for converting text documents into accessible formats for people with print disabilities or visual impairment.

The DAISY Pipeline is available for download at http://www.daisy.org/projects/pipeline/.

“This new ‘Save as DAISY XML’ functionality for Microsoft Word has the potential to break down barriers for millions of visually impaired individuals around the world and enhance the experience for virtually anyone who loves to read,” said Chris Capossela, senior vice president of the Information Worker Product Management Group at Microsoft. “We are proud of our collaboration with the DAISY Consortium and Sonata Software to deliver valuable benefits for people with a visual impairment. This tool will make it easier for anyone - from a child learning her or his lessons, to a government agency providing vital information to its citizens - to create accessible content.”

“Microsoft’s initiative to put ‘Save as DAISY XML’ in Microsoft Word is the first step to bring fully accessible content to people who are blind or who have a print disability. We know that much of the information in documents today is created with Microsoft Word; this new add-in provides an unprecedented leap forward in the worldwide effort to make information available to all,” said George Kerscher, secretary general of the DAISY Consortium.

Furthermore, the open source nature of the Open XML to DAISY XML translation project enables technologists to utilize the source code and other resources for their own applications.