Things are not all hopeless though. Microsoft Corp. has released an Active Accessibility software developer's kit for Windows applications. The latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer has a text-only option for screen readers. The best news is that a company called Productivity Works, Inc. is developing an application called PWWebspeak 1.2. Screen readers are thrown off by such things.
Computers can do so much for the handicapped.
We just need more help. An article from U.S. News and World Report explains how Coombs uses a portable voice synthesizer that automatically converts text in his computer into spoken words. Now he uses his computer to log on to databases of library catalogs and listen to electronic editions of periodicals. Coombs also uses his computer and modem to teach classes long distance to students in other states. Most people with physical disabilities use canes, crutches, or braces to aid in walking.