Accessible technology illustrated

Microsoft's efforts to make technology more accessible to people with disabilities got a face-lift with a new showroom at the company's Redmond campus.

The company-built-model work spaces exhibit technologies — its own and those developed by its software and hardware partners — for people with low vision, impaired mobility and other disabilities.

At one desk, a computer is equipped with a wireless Braille display, which presents text on the monitor in Braille. A screen-reading application complements the Braile output.

The bright, well-appointed showroom replaces a dim, narrow room packed with 150 machines, with cooling fans "humming in your ear," said Rob Sinclair, director of the company's accessibility-business unit. "As you can imagine, that might not have been the most effective forum."

The new room is designed to "help people understand, in real terms, how people with disabilities ... actually use the technology," Sinclair said.

It will also show off new accessible-technology products from Microsoft and its partners.

— Benjamin J. Romano