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>> Narrator: There are 285 million blind and vision-impaired people in the world.
Our mission at NV Access is to make sure none of these people miss out on using a computer
just because they can't afford an expensive screen reader.
A screen reader is software that allows blind and vision impaired people to use computers
by reading the text on the screen in a synthetic voice
>> Screen Reader: Link, Baking Needs. Link, Beauty. Link, Beverages.
>> Narrator: It can also be used with a braille display.
A screen reader enables blind people to get an education and participate in the work force.
It provides people with independence.
Unfortunately the cost of screen reading software puts computers out of reach for many people.
That's where our organization, NV Access comes in.
We created a free screen reader called NVDA, which stands for Non Visual Desktop Access.
>> Michael Curran, NV Access Founder: I started NVDA back in April 2006.
I didn't feel it was right that blind and vision impaired people had to pay thousands
of dollars for a screen reader.
>> James Teh, NV Access Co-founder: I first met Mick when I was nine years old at a music
camp for the blind.
Fast forward twelve years, I had just graduated from Bachelor of Information Technology and
Mick tells me that he is working on a free open source screen reader.
So, I decided to get on board.
Little did I know just how far this project would go.
>> Narrator: Our screen reader has been translated into over 40 languages.
It has been downloaded over 60,000 times.
NVDA has been used in at least 120 countries.
We've gotten to this point thanks to corporate grants and individual donations.
But with ongoing funding, we could potentially reach millions more people with our free screen
reader.
And we could insure that NVDA continues to be compatible with the world's rapidly changing
technology.
Please help us continue our work.
Donate today or sponsor us at www.nvaccess.org