New digital reading device for blind people - HumanWare Launches Victor Reader Wave a new compact DAISY player

- Expanded memory to store hundreds of bookmarks. Victor Reader Wave's compact size and rechargeable batteries
allow you to take and use it anywhere. Products like the SmartView video
magnifier and more recently myReader - the world 's first low vision auto-
reader - are redefining the way people look at low vision, while the Victor
Reader family of digital talking book players has been at the forefront of the
industry since its inception.

wheelchair mavis

visually blind

2220

Patricia Maurer
NFB Community Relations
(410) 659-9314 , ext.
Based on the popular Victor Reader Vibe, the world's first mainstream MP3
player adapted to play DAISY books, the Victor Reader Wave has the same
advantages of an adapted mainstream player with its portable design and
affordable price, but also includes many enhancements:

- The popular clam shell style lid of the Vibe remains, but has been
modified to use the familiar telephone style keypad of the Victor
Reader Classic+ player. As a
companion product to the Vibe, we are confident the Wave will meet their
expectations.

mavis impaired

"Any future Social Security legislation should allow SSDI benefits to be
calculated in a way that does not reduce future payments below what the
current law allows," Maurer continued.

asks gimp

"
Approximately 50,000 people become blind each year. This amount is currently $31,800, and is adjusted
annually. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.
- Enhanced navigation features of the Classic+ such as time jump and
accelerated fast forward.

blind enfranchise

Our nation's commitment to protect Americans
against an unexpected loss of income due to blindness before retirement must
not be sacrificed. This new player will be available in
June 2005.

visually wheelchair

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.2272

disabilities enfranchise

SSDI is not constructed as a "retirement savings" program.

blindness accessibility

As its name
suggests , it is "insurance" for persons who may qualify at any time on the
basis of blindness or other disability ."
In addition to preserving benefits, the NFB is proposing that Congress
increase the statutory earnings limit applicable to individuals who are blind
to the annual exempt amount for individuals who apply for Social Security
retirement benefits.
- Audio prompts have been added for MP3 CD playback. "Our customers really liked the Vibe but asked us
for more choice in price and functionality in our portable players.

About HumanWare

HumanWare (http://www.com) combines two of the industry's most
innovative companies - VisuAide and Pulse Data International are recognized as
world leaders in their respective fields.

asks enfranchise

- Learning disabled users will benefit from the screen display of
graphical command icons as well as graphical display of
volume/battery level, speed setting, and book position.

sensiblegraphics blindness

- A larger screen with text feedback for commands and display of book
title and current section heading.

enfranchise adapted

controversies blind

ifes visually

Activists Fear Individual Accounts Will Lead to Reduced Payments

BALTIMORE, Five hundred members of the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation's largest consumer organization of
blind people , were in Washington this week to speak up for the rights of blind
Americans who depend on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to support
themselves and their families.
(Logo: http: //www.
- Enlarged file system to play very complex DAISY books.

tactile caregivers

SSDI protects against the loss of income from
a disability before normal retirement.
- Save playback position for DAISY, MP3 and music CD's.

"The Victor Reader Wave is another successful example of HumanWare's
philosophy of integrating its proven and highly reliable DAISY software within
a commercial off-the-shelf MP3 player" said Gerry Chevalier, product manager
for the Victor Reader line.
The Victor Reader Wave includes earphones, a power adapter, a carrying
case and rechargeable batteries.

accessible vast

sensiblegraphics tactile

ifes impaired

"The blind should also be treated the
same as seniors who want to continue working productively without fear of
losing their benefits. With its tactile keyboard, audio feedback, and
large display screen, Victor Reader Wave is an exceptionally accessible device
for both the visually impaired and the learning disabled. Users can navigate
faster and far more efficiently through reference works and complex audio
textbooks.

sensiblegraphics controversies

"
Victor Reader Wave is a portable CD player that offers the navigation and
advanced features found in the most powerful DAISY players.

electoral caregivers

LOS ANGELES, March 16 - Today at the CSUN Conference on
Technology and Persons with Disabilities, HumanWare is proud to officially
launch Victor Reader Wave, the latest model in its popular line of Victor
Reader DAISY CD Digital Talking Book Players.

asks disabilities

newscom. Finally, the companies produce the world's only
commercialized GPS -based orientation solutions for the blind - Trekker and
BrailleNote GPS.

brought storehouse

It is designed for
students and professionals.humanware. The BrailleNote is the best-known solution in
the notetaker market today , and this market will be expanded with the
introduction of Maestro.

Controversies, campaigns, and advocacy for accessibility.

blindness accessible

Users can recharge their batteries directly
in the unit.

accessibility asks

National Federation of the Blind Asks President and Congress to Protect Social Security Benefits for the Blind

com/cgi -bin/prnh/20050120/PHTH039LOGO )
"Blindness can occur at any point during a person's working life ," said
Marc Maurer, President of the NFB. "Legislation that has the effect of
reducing the payroll deductions on which SSDI is based will cause significant
hardship for blind Americans.

Contacts:

Linda McCarty
NFB Public Relations
(410) 659-9314, ext. They can move forward or backward by chapter or section, go to a
specific page, and even insert bookmarks .

caregivers electoral

Not all blind persons
need to collect SSDI, but for those who do, they are paid the benefit they
would have received at normal retirement based on past payroll deductions. Currently, a blind person collecting SSDI with gross earnings of
more than $16,650 annually will lose all benefits.