Microlink PC Latest News Feed

ClaroRead for PC V5.5 arriving end of January 2010

What's new for ClaroRead?

Building on the success of previous versions, V5.5 aims to offer more extended features and updates to the comprehensive reading and writing software solution. Key new features of ClaroRead V5.5 are the new Check Anywhere and Dictionary Tooltip features. Check Anywhere allows you to spell check any word from any PC application. The Dictionary Tooltip feature allows you to get a definition for any word anywhere.

Also included as a ClaroRead Extra is ClaroCapture V2, the latest version of our research tool. ClaroCapture V2 helps users collect text, images, screenshots, files, recordings and references in a project file. ClaroCapture is ideal for use when planning essays, reports brochures, assignments, presentations, and other detailed written work.

From September 2009, ClaroRead has been shipping with 8 RealSpeak voices including English, Scottish, Irish, Indian and Australian accents. ClaroRead V5.5 update is planned for release at the end of January 2010.

ClaroRead for PC V5.1 Released

ClaroRead V5.1 New Features
More voices - Claro has consistently provided a range of the highest quality voices for text to speech reading. This range has been further extended. ClaroRead Plus V5.1 now ships with 7 voices, Daniel, Serena, Sangeeta, Australian Lee, Scottish Heather & Fiona and Irish Moira.

Full visual highlighting when used with Open Office Writer.

In addition, the optional ClaroRead European voice add-on CD now includes 15 European voices, one male and female in each language.

ClaroRead V5 introduced many innovative features earlier in 2009. [url=http://enews.bespokeinternet.com/lt/t_go.php?i=1444&e=MTUyODM0&l=-http--www.clarosoftware.com/]Visit Claro's website[/url] for trial demos and screenshots.

To download the patch to update your ClaroRead V5 to 5.1 please visit the [url=http://enews.bespokeinternet.com/lt/t_go.php?i=1444&e=MTUyODM0&l=-http--help.clarodownloads.com/downloads.php]Claro Downloads page[/url].

Microsoft Windows 7 Statement

All Claro Software products, ClaroRead, Lightning, ScreenRuler and Thunder.

TextHelp Read & Write 9 including Gold version and Browsealoud.

Mind Map software, Inspiration, Mind Manager 8, Spark Space, and Mind Genius.

Nuance, Dragon Naturally speaking10 and Omnipage 17.

Aisquared, ZoomText 9.1 magnifier and Reader.

Freedom Scientific, Jaws, MAGic and WYNN.

Dolphin, Lunar, Hal, SuperNova, Cicero and Alt format tools.

Kurzweil, 1000 and 3000.

J-Say Pro and Duxbury Braille Translation.

Why Windows 7? - Better ease of use. Better file management. Better User Access Control.

*Improved Taskbar - Hover over the icons and you'll see thumbnails of every file or window that open in that program.

*Jump List - right-clicking on the Word icon, from taskbar, will show your most recent Word documents.

*Desktop enhancements - With Snaps, you can simply grab a window and pull it to either side edge of the screen to fill half the screen rather having to manually resize. - To see desktop just move mouse to the lower right corner of the screen. - That'll make all the open Windows transparent, so the desktop become visible. Want to get all but one window out of your way? Grab the top of that window, shake it and all the other open windows will minimize to the taskbar. Shake the window again, and they'll all come back.

*Desktop Search - Looking for a file, e-mail, or application? While you can easily look through folders and menus, there's an even faster way. Just click on the Start button and you'll see a search box at the bottom of the Start menu. Just enter a word or few letters in the name or file you want, and you'll get an organized list of results.

Reduce interruptions - Less interruption with pop-ups or other messages.

*extracts from Microsoft

Justifying age discrimination

Source: [url=https://www.eversheds.com/uk/home/articles/index1.page?ArticleID=templatedata%5CEversheds%5Carticles%5Cdata%5Cen%5CEmployment_and_labour_law%5CHR_e-briefing_419_house_of_Lords_02July09&SIDpassed=templatedataEvershedsServiceListdataenDiscrimination_and_equal_pay]House of Lords approves the extension of disability discrimination[/url].

Ascertaining the scope of disability discrimination is crucial for education institutions. Recently, the House of Lords gave a judgment that makes clear that the range of individuals protected by the Disability Discrimination Act 1998 (DDA) is broader than statutory guidance suggests. The case affects people with conditions that are controlled by treatment or whose symptoms fluctuate, and also those with new conditions whose prognosis is not altogether certain.

Definition of disability

To qualify for protection, the DDA requires that an individual must usually show he or she has "a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities". The DDA recognises that where an individual is receiving treatment the effects of their impairment may be suppressed and no longer be considered "substantial". To ensure such individuals are protected by the Act, it specifically provides that any measures taken to treat or correct an impairment should be ignored if the impairment would otherwise "be likely to have a substantial adverse effect on the ability of the person concerned to carry out normal day-to-day activities".

The DDA also accommodates those with an impairment whose effects are not constant. Normally, the effects of an impairment have to last for at least 12 months. However, the DDA expressly provides for situations where an impairment ceases to have a substantial adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities. In that event, the impairment will be treated as continuing to have that effect "if the effect is likely to recur".

Both of these provisions use the word "likely". The question for the House of Lords was does "likely" mean probable ie "more likely than not" or does it mean simply that it is a real possibility, something which "could well" happen?

Meaning of "likely to recur"

Statutory guidance on the matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability provided that an event is "likely" if it is "more likely than not" that it will happen. Surprisingly, the House of Lords opted not to follow the approach suggested in the Guidance. Instead, it said that "likely to happen" must be interpreted as "could well happen".

Extending the definition of disability

What this decision of the House of Lords will inevitably mean, is that it will be much easier in future for individuals to establish a disability and protection under DDA. Medical experts, who have historically struggled to address or agree upon the question of probability of recurrence of an injury or illness, are liable to find it much easier to comment on whether recurrence "could well happen".

The House of Lords made reference to medical conditions which, through controlled medication or treatment are resolved or subject to periods of remission, such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy. It is also easy to see that individuals with conditions which flare up from time to time but are not continuous will be more able in future to establish themselves as disabled.

Perhaps most critically, although the facts of this case relate to the extent to which a substantial, long term impairment should be deemed continuing because of the likelihood of recurrence and to the importance of ignoring effects of medication or treatment, the word "likely" appears elsewhere in DDA. The effect of an impairment will, for example, be treated as "long term" if it is likely to last for at least 12 months or for the rest of a person's life. Applying this new definition of "likely" will make it easier for employees to claim the benefit of the Act if they have a condition which has not yet lasted a year. If the effects "could well" last for 12 months or more then the employee will be protected by within the DDA. For example, back problems are amongst the most prevalent injuries for workers and result in the majority of absences. Depression is similarly an ever growing issue. Conditions such as these also pose a real risk of recurrence such that doctors will be almost bound to conclude that "could well happen".

The word "likely" also crops up in relation to progressive conditions. DDA states that a progressive impairment is treated as having a substantial effect on day to day activities from the moment it has any minor effect, provided the effects are 'likely' to become substantial at some time in the future.

It follows from this case that education institutions will need to be far more aware of reasons for absence and more flexible and accommodating in their responses if they are to avoid being on the receiving end of allegations of disability discrimination.

ClaroRead for Mac V4 Now Shipping

So what's new in ClaroRead for Mac V4?

Claro has maintained the ease of use of ClaroRead for Mac V4, but extended the performance based on customer feedback.

The new release includes the following enhancements;

Visual highlighting

The new focus sentence feature greys or dims out sentences in MS Word not being spoken by ClaroRead. This is helpful for focussing the eye on the text, and also tracking the position in a document. The word trail feature makes words colour progressively as they are spoken by ClaroRead. This allows effective word by word highlighting, with minimal visual disruption. Any colour can be chosen to highlight the text. Watch the speech tutorial for full information

Research and capture information

The new ClaroCapture program included with all versions of ClaroRead for Mac V4 lets you collect text from any document and web page, grouping it as a project file. The research file can be sent to Word or Power Point. It can also extract highlighted text from Microsoft Word documents. A great study skills tool. Watch the Claro Capture tutorial for full information.

Scanning paper and converting PDF files

ClaroRead Plus for Mac V4 now includes the Readiris 11 Pro for Mac optical character recognition scanning software. The scanning can be launched from the ClaroRead toolbar, making it ideal for scanning or converting books, articles and other content to become accessible, readable and editable. Watch the scanning overview video.

Word checking

The Check window now integrates homophones, spelling suggestions and meanings in one window. There is also a dictionary lookup button which gives you direct access to the dictionary. Any spelling corrections you make in the Check window are remembered, and you can review your own spelling corrections later under the Check tab in the Settings pane. Watch the Check Word tutorial video

New voices

Claro has always aimed to offer the highest quality voices for inclusion with ClaroRead. The new Acapela UK Rachel voice has been introduced for ClaroRead for Mac V4, and we still include the popular Acapela Lucy. In addition, we added the Scottish female Heather and English male William voices - which are "system voices" and can be used within ClaroRead as well as from any other speaking application on the Mac. Listen to the voices samples, for each of the included voices in ClaroRead for Mac V4 UK Edition.

ScreenRuler for Mac

ScreenRuler is now available for Mac, and included with ClaroRead Mac V4. The colour and size of the ruler can be easily modified to suit each user. Please take a look at the ScreenRuler for Mac Video Tutorial.

Word Prediction

ClaroRead for Mac V4 now includes a word predictor which learns as you type and can be trained from Word documents or the clipboard. There are a range of different settings for you to customise to your needs under the Prediction tab in the Settings pane. Watch the ClaroRead Prediction tutorial video.

Price, Specification, Support and Availability

ClaroRead Standard for Mac V4 is still £145 + VAT.

ClaroRead PLUS for Mac V4 (which is a combination of ClaroRead Standard and a full copy of Readiris 11 Pro for Mac) is still £185 + VAT.

ClaroRead for Mac V4 requires Mac OS X version 10.4 or later. Also compatible with the latest test version of Snow Leopard (Mac OSX 10.6) due for release in September 2009. Microsoft Word 2008 (or 2004) for Mac recommended.

Microlink celebrates fifth annual open day

Over 100 guests braved unseasonably wet, blustery weather to visit Microlink at its Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, headquarters for the company's fifth annual open day recently.

Managing director Nasser Siabi welcomed visitors who had come to meet Microlink staff, catch up on the latest innovations and network with fellow professionals who work with disabled people in education and employment.

The informal event - it even featured a visit from a local ice cream van at lunch time - provided a showcase for some of the UK's top suppliers of assistive technology who exhibited some of their latest products and presented a series of technology seminars.

Andy Fell, MicrolinkPC's Business Development Manager, pointed to the increasing range and sophistication of assistive technology products on the UK market. "We are constantly investigating mainstream technologies that could be applied for the benefit of disabled users and we try to and bring the cost down for them. Accessible telephones and ruggedised laptops are good examples of mainstream products that now benefit our customers."

Highlights of the programme were two brand new products that visitors were among the first to see in the UK: Oska, an on-screen keyboard from Claro Software, and a powerful text correction program that will be launched by Ginger Software in July 2009.

Oska is the brainchild of Paul Blenkhorn of Claro Software, the UK's foremost assistive software developer. The program is designed to give physically disabled users an alternative to the traditional keyboard and mouse method of operating a computer.

The software consists of three elements. A keyboard editor allows users to create customised on screen keyboards, defining the size, function and appearance of each one; a settings editor allows users to define and set up input methods, while a player allows the keyboards to be used with any application.

Paul Blenkhorn, who did much of the work on Oska while a visiting professor at Tokyo University, has identified a number of devices that can be operated with very little muscular movement including a 3D mouse, a numeric keypad, a touch tablet and a one click mouse.

Ginger Software is capable of correcting errors in spelling and grammar using powerful algorithms running on a central computer and accessed over the Web. The program can also track errors made by individual users and help them to improve their writing skills with the aid of personal dictionaries, reports that detail their mistakes and text-to-speech output.

The software can correct entire sentences at once, working out from the context what the correct spellings and grammar should be. Ginger Software can even distinguish between homophones: words such as reed and read that sound the same but have different meanings.

Initially, Ginger Software is aimed at readers with learning disabilities or who use English as a second language. It is available as a free download for Microsoft Word and on an annual lease for more sophisticated versions.

Scanner maker Plustek demonstrated its OpticBook 3600 which has an unusual solution to the problem of spine shadow, the dark central area that can occur when an entire book is laid flat on a scanner. The machine has a book edge and curved lamp that enables users to put single pages into the machine without having to try and flatten out the whole book

Nuance, the company behind the Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech to text program, displayed a productivity suite and an access suite for higher education consisting of Dragon NaturallySpeaking Pro plus programs that support reading and writing. In addition, the package includes a screen magnifier and reader and a concept mapper.

For further information about any of the products or companies mentioned here please contact Microlink at <a href="mailto:info@microlinkpc.com">info@microlinkpc.com</a>.

Suppliers attending Microlink's open day were:

Canon
Claro Software
Dolphin
Ginger Software
Nuance
Olympus
Osmond Group
Plustek
Spark-Space
TextHelp
VoxEnable

Microlink at Special Needs North 2009

Special Needs North is the leading exhibition in the north of England for teachers and school support staff; bringing together 6,000 teaching professionals, over 160 relevant resource and service suppliers and a dynamic, and inspirational continuous professional development seminar programme, presenting over 30 pertinent topics over two days.

Please follow this link for further information on the show.

Or come and talk to us at Manchester Central, 24-25th April 2009. Microlink will be on stand SN216.

Software problem with the new Olympus DS-55, DS-65 and DS-75 model recorders

It seems that the 'DSS Player' software does not detect the attached device when connected. However there is a simple workaround that allows transfer of files because the Olympus is successfully detected as a 'Mass Storage' device and is therefore accessible from the desktop.

Workaround: Users need to browse the files on their Olympus using Finder and then drag the ones they want into the 'DSS Player' program window over the respective (A/B/C/D/E) folder. Once imported, they can be played back as normal.

There was a similar problem with the Olympus DS-40 before the 'DSS Player' software was updated to version 7.1.

Unfortunately there is as yet no firm date for a new version of the 'DSS Player' software, so we are no longer recommending these Olympus players for Apple systems.

Microlink PC Open Day 2009 - Tuesday 19th May 2009.

Another year has passed and once more Microlink PC are opening its doors to allow you to spend the day visiting our Head Office in Chandlers Ford. Throughout the day you can see presentations of the very latest exciting software releases and have demonstrations of a range of assistive technology products.

There will be major suppliers displaying their products and being on hand to talk direct to you as well as being able to tour the Microlink Head Office and meet and talk with staff.

For further details and how to register your attendance, please email andy.fell@microlinkpc.com.
<hr>Open Day 2009 Programme

10.00 Welcome and introductions
   followed by free time to meet members of staff

11.00 Presentations by exhibitors
 introducing their software or showing latest
 updates and special features in the demo area
 11.00 Dolphin
 11.20 TextHelp
 11.40 Sparkspace
 12.00 Ginger Software
 12.20 Claro
 12.40 VoxEnable

1.00 Lunch - sponsored by Olympus

2.00 Repeat of Presentations
 2.00 Dolphin
 2.20 TextHelp
 2.40 Sparkspace
 3.00 Ginger Software
 3.20 Claro
 3.40 VoxEnable

4.00 Close
<hr>
A PDF copy of the programme is available to download.

Microlink PC Midlands office is moving.

Our new city centre location will have an Assistive Technology showroom and training room and will be open to welcome visitors from the beginning of April 2009 in Victoria Square, Birmingham. As a part of our continued commitment to extend our localised service to our customers the Midlands office provides local administration support, technical support and a showroom / assessment / training room.

The showroom has a full range of both hardware and software assistive technology products, ergonomic chairs, electric height adjustable desks and a selection of the Canon education range of printers, cameras and scanners and our sales team will be happy to arrange a meeting or onsite demonstration.

The technical support team offers local support to customers who may experience a technical problem with their equipment. Customers can arrange to meet an engineer at the office to discuss any technical issues.

The Microlink PC Midlands region and Birmingham office is managed by Jonathan Rouse who has extensive knowledge and practical experience of assistive technologies.

Should you wish to visit us once we move and have a look at our exciting product range, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at <a href="mailto:midlands@microlinkpc.com" class="med">midlands@microlinkpc.com</a> or visit us at the upcoming Education Show at the NEC. Alternatively, up until 30th April we can be contacted on our existing phone number which is 0121 222 5066.

Microlink will be exhibiting at The Education Show: 26th - 28th March 2009

The Education Show 2009 is the UK's largest showcase of educational resources of all kinds. It enables educators to see what is new, try out resources and take part in free CPD so that they can teach and manage learning more effectively.

So whether you're a nursery manager, primary practitioner, secondary subject head or anyone involved in education - use this website to find all the tools you need - to help your learners learn and plan your visit to The Education Show 2009.

http://www.education-show.com/

On the Microlink stand will be demonstrating the new Learning Access Suite. Please come and visit us for a full hands-on demo. The Microlink Stand is IT-N58. The Education Show is at the Birmingham NEC and runs from 26th - 28th March 2009.

<hr>

Microlink PC Midlands office is moving.

Our new city centre location will have an Assistive Technology showroom and training room and will be open to welcome visitors from the beginning of April 2009 in Victoria Square, Birmingham. As a part of our continued commitment to extend our localised service to our customers the Midlands office provides local administration support, technical support and a showroom/assessment/training room.

The showroom has a full range of both hardware and software assistive technology products, ergonomic chairs, electric height adjustable desks and a selection of the Canon education range of printers, cameras and scanners and our sales team will be happy to arrange a meeting or onsite demonstration.

The technical support team offers local support to customers who may experience a technical problem with their equipment. Customers can arrange to meet an engineer at the office to discuss any technical issues.

The Microlink PC Midlands region and Birmingham office is managed by Jonathan Rouse who has extensive knowledge and practical experience of assistive technologies.

Should you wish to visit us once we move and have a look at our exciting product range, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at <a href="mailto:midlands@microlinkpc.com" class="med">midlands@microlinkpc.com</a> or visit us at the upcoming Education Show at the NEC. Alternatively, up until 30th April we can be contacted on our existing phone number which is 0121 222 5066.

Two new product announcements...

Texthelp has released the latest version of Read&Write 9 GOLD.

New features of the software include Screen Masking, to tint or mask sections of the window, a Translator tool that translates selected words into French, Spanish, German or Italian, new Texthelp voices and enhanced Spelling, Dictionary and homophone support.

Further information is available from the Texthelp website.

<hr>
Additionally on February 10th Claro launched ClaroRead V5.

New - Visual highlighting: The new focus sentence feature greys or dims out sentences in MS Word not being spoken by the ClaroRead voice. This is helpful for focussing the eye on the text, and also tracking the position in a document. The word trail feature makes words colour progressively as they are spoken by ClaroRead. This mode allows effective word by word highlighting, with minimal visual disruption. Any colour can be chosen to highlight the text.

New - Readable font: The Tiresias family of fonts have been designed for optimum accessibility and usability. Tiresias PC font is now installed by ClaroRead for use in all your Windows applications. Tiresias was developed by Dr John Gill currently at RNIB Scientific Research Unit.

New - Research and capture information: The new ClaroCapture program included with ClaroRead V5 lets you collect text from any document and web page, grouping it as a project file. The research file can be sent to Word or PowerPoint. It can also extract highlighted text from Microsoft Word documents. A great study skills tool.

New - Scanning paper and converting PDF files: ClaroRead Plus V5 now uses the updated Omnipage 16 engine, which gives you faster and more accurate scanning, including a rich new Preview function. The Preview function lets you add, delete and re-order scanned areas, alter page orientation and other settings. The highest quality Optical Character Recognition is now included in ClaroRead Plus and Premium, making it ideal for scanning or converting books, articles and other content to become accessible, readable and editable.

New - Word checking: Word Check now gives extra definitions, context for the current spelling, and a Google search link within the improved Word Check window. Any corrections you make in the ClaroRead spellcheck window are remembered, and you can review your own spelling corrections later. You can use this information to build your personal correction list and add your corrections directly to Word's Autocorrect in bulk from the ClaroRead Advanced Settings Editor.

New - New voices: Claro has always aimed to offer the highest quality voices for inclusion with ClaroRead. Two new excellent voices have been introduced for ClaroRead Plus V5, a Scottish female and English male.

For further details, please [url=http://www.clarosoftware.com/index.php?cPath=355&tab=o]visit the ClaroRead 5 page[/url].