Dollar General Adding Point of Sale Terminals to All Stores Over the Next 15 Months

Dollar General, a national discount retailer with more than 8,000 stores in 35
states, announced On Dec. 10, 2008 that it will be installing tactile point of
sale devices in all its stores over the next 15 months, so that customers who are blind and visually impaired can independently enter their PIN when using a point of sale device. The announcement is the result of an agreement the company negotiated with the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, and a blind Dollar General customer from Texas. The settlement was reached without litigation using Structured Negotiations and was negotiated by Linda Dardarian and Lainey Feingold. Direct links to the agreement and the press release:
Dollar General Settlement Agreement

Dollar General Press Release

Dollar General is the seventh national company to engage in Structured Negotiations about the issue of tactile point of sale devices with ACB and AFB, and with the CCB when the retailer does business in California. A list of all POS agreements, as well as all thirty two agreements signed using Structured negotiations is available at
Law Office of Lainey Feingold - www.lflegal.com

510.548.5062
E-mail Lainey Feingold - lf@lflegal.com

 

Accessibility Anywhere Braille Display Petition

A petition has been started by George McDermith, asking Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers. The text of the petition reads as follows:
"To: Braille display manufacturers
We, the undersigned, who are Braille display users, friends and family of Braille display users, and teachers of the blind,
*: Believe that accessibility to information for the blind on a par with their sighted piers is a right. Believe that due to this right, and due to the cost of Braille displays, accessing Braille through the use of Braille displays should not be limited by the type of screen reading solution used by the blind.
*: Strongly request that all manufacturers of Braille displays cease basing the drivers of their Braille displays off of particular screen reader drivers, but rather base all Braille display drivers off of the Human User Interface Protocol, which can be found on all Windows computers.
*: This will allow true portability and equal access to information for the blind, as they will be able to use their display with any computer. This will create greater competition in the market for the best Braille display to stand out, grant greater literacy in Braille through greater access to electronic Braille books and other materials, and support the right of all blind people to have accessibility anywhere."
Visit the petition web page to add your support to this worthy cause.

 

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

 

Media Contact: 

E-mail pr@serotek.com

612.720.1068

 

Technical Contact :

E-mail info@serotek.com 

Serotek First to Offer 64-Bit Support

System Access 3.0 Sets New Standard in Assistive Technology

 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – December 3, 2008 – Serotek Corporation, the leading provider of internet and digital information accessibility software and services, today released version 3.0 of its award-winning System Access software. With this release, Serotek now offers the first full-featured screen access product with support for 64-bit operating systems. This is a breakthrough for blind and visually impaired consumers and IT professionals alike.

Blind information technology professionals have long struggled with the issue of being a step behind their sighted counterparts due to a lag in access technology and its inability to support the latest mainstream developments. With the release of System Access 3.0, the only existing screen access support for 64-bit Windows operating systems on the market, Serotek has leveled the employment playing field for skilled IT professionals. Without it, blind IT professionals would be locked out of administering 64-bit servers and work stations which are prevalent in most corporate environments. With it, a blind IT professional can plug in a USB drive containing the System Access 3.0 software and instantly provide technical support services to anyone in the world.

Increasingly, retailers are stocking computers running 64-bit versions of Windows so blind consumers were facing a similar dilemma. Now, new computers, from the smallest Netbook to the most powerful server, that are running OEM versions of 64-bit Windows, are instantly accessible with System Access 3.0.  Consumers who are blind or have low vision can purchase a computer product without wondering if it will be accessible.

            “Consumers and IT professionals alike no longer need to concern themselves with whether a computer is running a 32 or 64-bit operating system,” said Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation, “System Access provides easy access in either scenario.”

Version 3.0 also features voice over IP, speech and refreshable Braille output, and the most compelling support for iTunes 8 on the market.

            “With this release, Serotek continues to raise the bar in the assistive technology industry” said Calvo, “and exponentially boosts the digital lifestyle for the blind and visually impaired while at home, work or traveling.”

             The update to version 3.0 will happen seamlessly for existing System Access customers with no need for user intervention. New customers can begin a free trial or purchase the product by visiting www.satogo.com. For a complete list of features and enhancements, visit http://www.serotek.com/whatsnew.html.

 

Serotek Corporation

Serotek Corporation is a leading technology company that develops software and manufactures accessibility solutions under the System Access brand. Committed to the mission of providing accessibility anywhere, Serotek began with the launch of the first online community specifically designed to meet the needs of people with visual impairment. Since then, Serotek has introduced several powerful, affordable solutions that require minimal training and investment. For more information, visit

www.serotek.com

 

Serotek Extends offer of $200 off the purchase of $399 or more Through Dec. 3RD, 2008

 Due to popular demand, we are extending our offer of $200 off the purchase of $399 or more through Wednesday, Dec. 3RD at Midnight Eastern. Get $200 off System Access screen reader version 3.0, System Access Mobile Network, Neospeech, Document Scan, additional machine licenses, or a Netbook computer with System Access. Call toll-fre 866-202-0520 or visit the

Serotek Purchase Page

Second SeroTalk Podcast Holiday Special

Listen to the second SeroTalk podcast holiday special

Mike Calvo announced the official release of System Access 3.0, and $200 Black Friday discount from Nov 28 thru Dec. 1st. For more access for less, call 866-202-0520 or visit

www.serotek.com

Mike Calvo recommends the ultimate coffee, tea and hot chocolate maker technology called Tassimo. He recommends getting the Bosch brand TAS10 for $99 if you have filtered water, or the TAS45 for $129 if you need your water filtered

TassimoDirect.com

Michael lauf spoke with Tom bozikis with the
Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org

They discussed reading U.S. and Canadian business reliability reports at search.bbb.org

filing a complaint at complaint.bbb.org

online safety and the very informative

Tri-State BBB Consumer Education Blog at www.bbbConsumerEducation.com

Seven people recommend their favorite websites for purchases.

Four sites mentioned by two or more people were:

overstock.com

NewEgg.com

TigerDirect.com

and

amazon.com

Three sites for comparing prices were mentioned:

froogle.com from Google

nextag.com

and

PriceGrabber.com

Other sites mentioned for computers, electronics and tech toys included:

BlindBargains.com

Buy.com

and

Geeks.com

For custom built computers and parts,
cmsProducts.com

mWave.com

MagicMicro.com

For audio gear like mixers and mics for musicians and DJs:

SweetWater.com

and

J&R Music - www.jr.com

Two sites for radios, antennas and communications gear:

C. Crane Company - CcRadio.com

and

BearCat1.com

Daily special sites offering only one product per day updated at midnight:
Woot.com

and

MidnightBox.com

For cell phones, GSM phones unbranded or also referred to as unlocked:
ImportGSM.com

MobileCityOnline.com

and

NegriElectronics.com

For fragrances:
Scentiments.com

FragranceNet.com 

and

Perfume.com

For books, music and movies:

Half.com

For smaller and personal items:

haband.com

HarrietCarter.com

and

llbean.com

 

SeroTalk Podcast

Hello, my name is Michael lauf. Some of you may remember me from the internet radio show called Handi-Talk back in 1999. I met many great peple from doing that program, including Mike Calvo.  I am excited to now be a part of the Serotek team as of November 3, 2008. In addition to taking the variety of content on the System Access Mobile Network to a whole new leverl, I will also be creating two podcasts each month.

SeroTalk is both a podcast and blog discussing ways people use access technology to improve the quality of life. The web site is
serotalk.com

The website, podcast and blog will offer a wealth of information on new technologies, useful websites, cool software, education, information and entertainment. User comments will be read from those sending us e-mail.
resources@serotalk.com

Voicemails will be played from those calling a dedicated toll-free number which is 866-997-2522.
Persons can instantly recieve the latest podcasts and blog postings by adding the following URL to their web browser, RSS news reader or podcatcher
http://serotalk.com/feed/

As I write this, we just posted our first podcast, showcasing ten new and exciting features in System Access version 3.0. You can hear our absolutely awesome voice chat technology in action as I talk with six other staff members including Mike Calvo, Ricky Enger, Matt Campbell, richard Wells, Brian Kevelighan and Raymond bishop.
Topics included: 64–bit support, simplified user menus, awesome voice chat technology, support for FireFox Web Browser Version 3, Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, refreshable braille support via the ALVA BC640 Braille display,
automatic updates and auto-repair, new and more-responsive Neospeech voices, 75 percent smaller and subsequently 75 percent faster start time for
SAToGo

support for iTunes 8.01, AllInPlay, and offline document scanning.
We also discuss the variety of new
economical and powerful Netbook computers.

We will play selected voicemails, and read selected e-mails during each podcast, as we are all about interaction. We hope you will sign up and provide feedback to our posts.

Serotek CEO Announced as Tekne Award Finalist

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: pr@serotek.com

Technical Contact : info@serotek.com

Calvo recognized as one of Minnesota’s top technology innovators and leaders

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – September 30, 2008 – Mike Calvo, founder and CEO of Serotek Corporation, the leading provider of Internet and digital information accessibility software and services, was named as a Technology Executive of the Year finalist for the 2008 Tekne Awards. The awards recognize Minnesota companies and individuals who have shown superior technology innovation and leadership. The Technology Executive of the Year category honors an individual member of an executive team who is responsible for the advancement of technology and technology strategy within a company or organization. Leadership within the business as well as civic and community level involvement are considerations.

Born blind, Calvo committed to making a difference from a young age and today, hundreds of thousands around the world, including the elderly, visually impaired, and those with limited mobility, are using Serotek products to operate computers and access the Internet. Calvo conceived of and led the delivery of several industry firsts including the first Web 2.0 based accessibility software, the first Microsoft Vista-ready product line, the first accessible software-as-as-service offering, the first remote incident and remote access management systems for corporate technology support personnel, and he was the first to remove financial barriers by providing world-wide computer accessibility free of charge by donating Serotek’s screen reading product to a foundation he helped found. Additionally, Calvo established and co-sponsored with Lenovo and Microsoft the Serotek Technology Camp for Children, and launched a program for K-12 students in the United States to obtain free accessibility software for their schools. “Recognition for accomplishments that required the cooperation of so many is humbling,” said Mike Calvo, CEO, Serotek Corporation, “but I’m honored to represent those who have influenced and changed the lives and careers of so many through technology access.”

Presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) in partnership with Enterprise Minnesota and LifeScience Alley, the Tekne Awards annually recognize Minnesota’s leading technology users and developers in innovation, development, education, commercialization and management of technology in Minnesota. A list of finalists is available online at www.tekneawards.org. “Every finalist should be proud of this accomplishment,” said Kate Rubin, president of MHTA. “For nearly a decade the Tekne Awards have shined a spotlight on our state’s best and brightest technology innovators. Great leaders and innovators like Mike Calvo give us hope that we’ll be in good hands for years to come.” On Oct. 30, one recipient from three finalists will be named in this category at the Awards ceremony. Award categories recognize leaders and technology businesses that are emerging (with annual revenues under $50 million) and established (with annual revenues of $50 million or more). This year’s Tekne Awards ceremony will be emceed by Kerri Miller, host of “Midmorning” and “Talking Volumes” on Minnesota Public Radio.

Serotek Corporation

Serotek Corporation is a leading technology company that develops software and manufactures accessibility solutions under the System Access brand. Committed to the mission of providing accessibility anywhere, Serotek began with the launch of the first online community specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Since then, Serotek has introduced several powerful, affordable solutions that require minimal training and investment. For more information, visit www.serotek.com.

Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)

MHTA accelerates the growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Minnesota's technology-based economy through public policy advocacy, member collaboration and education, and community outreach. MHTA is the only membership organization representing Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota. MHTA works in partnership with AeA, which represents Minnesota's technology organizations nationally. Find out more online at www.mhta.org.