Dolphin News

SuperNova v13.50 First to Magnify, Speak and Braille Windows 8

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:17:19 GMT

Dolphin Computer Access, a world leader in the development of assistive technology for people with vision and print impairments, today announced the immediate availability of SuperNova v13.50, the first professionally supported screen magnification software to run on computers powered by Microsoft's latest operating systems Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise.

With a single package, computers running Windows 8 have their onscreen text and graphics enlarged smoothly, difficult colours changed to more comfortable alternatives, mouse pointer and cursor positions highlighted clearly, plus all text is spoken with natural sounding voices and translated accurately to literary Braille.

"SuperNova v13.50 is a significant breakthrough especially for partially sighted people buying new Windows PCs" explains RNIB's Steve Griffiths. "It contains support for Windows 8, and having SuperNova's excellent colour and size options is a huge improvement over the basic Windows magnifier for students and professionals with sight loss."

As well as individuals with a range of eye conditions gaining access to mainstream applications running on Windows 8; Businesses and schools can deploy a single solution which is more affordable and straightforward to support and maintain.

SuperNova works with the new Windows 8 Start Screen including: live tiles showing updating information, Charms Bar which is the new way to change settings and share content, plus SuperNova continues to work with your existing desktop and legacy applications including Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader and Skype.

At the same time, Dolphin is announcing initial support in SuperNova for Microsoft Office 2013 applications including: Outlook, Word and Excel. Office 2013 has a refreshed look and features integration with Sky Drive, Microsoft's cloud storage allowing you to access your documents from any computer.

SuperNova v13.50 is a free update available to all existing SuperNova v13.0x customers. Plus, special discounted pricing is available for people trading in a valid Zoomtext or MAGic licence.

Listen to Dolphin's podcast, 'Windows 8 Essentials with SuperNova v13.50' presented by Maggie McCarthy, Training Manager at Dolphin.

Subscribe free to receive all Dolphin podcasts. In iTunes, choose Advanced > "Subscribe to Podcast" and paste the following URL: http://www.yourdolphin.com/podcasts/dolphinpodcasts.xml

Read the complete 'What's New in SuperNova v13.50?'

Download a free 30-day demo:

Trade-in Your Screen Magnifier

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:27:53 GMT

Is your screen magnifier software compatible with Microsoft's newest operating system? Do you need Windows 8 support now or in the near future? People with partial sight using older screen magnifiers can now part exchange their out of date software for the latest version of SuperNova that includes magnification and speech access to Windows 8.

As well as continuing to work with Windows 7 and Windows XP, SuperNova's crystal clear magnifier enlarges everything on screen up to 60 times. Colour schemes reduce glare and maximise reading comfort; for weary eyes natural sounding male and female voices can speak documents and apps out loud; Multiple Monitor support helps with: multitasking, delivering presentations or working closely with colleagues.

For the cost of an additional single user licence, you can trade-in ZoomText™ from AI Squared or MAGic™ from Freedom Scientific to: SuperNova Magnifier, SuperNova Reader Magnifier or the complete SuperNova Access Suite.

For example, trade-in ZoomText or MAGic to:

SuperNova Magnifier for �175GBP, save �120GBP
SuperNova Reader Magnifier for �235GBP, save �160GBP
SuperNova Access Suite for �495GBP, save �340GBP

Prices are illustrative and you should contact Dolphin or your local Dolphin dealer to receive a personal quotation.

To discover which edition is right for you now and in the future, try SuperNova free for 30 days.

Meet Ben who is using SuperNova to successfully complete his University degree:

Customers wishing to take advantage of the magnifier trade in offer must quote their competitor serial number with their order and return the original competitor installation CD to Dolphin or your local Dolphin dealer in order to qualify. Offer valid on quotations made before September 2013.

Please direct any questions regarding the Trade In offer to info@yourdolphin.com

New College Worcester Family Day - 6th May

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:54:01 GMT

Meet Amy video:

Families of children with visual impairments, who would like to enjoy a fun day of activities, are invited to New College Worcester on Monday 6th May from 10am to discover how students with sight loss can reach their full potential.

As well as trying archery, a drumming workshop and go-karting, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about one of the nation's top providers of secondary and further education for students who are blind or partially sighted.

Amy, who has been a student at New College Worcester for the past year, struggled to access appropriate learning support at her mainstream school when her sight started to deteriorate.

"My sight varies a lot depending on the light level and tiredness." Amy explains. "We had lots of meetings and it was decided I would move to New College. Now I am getting a lot more help, my grades have gone up and I'm happy."

Small classes, individual development plans and Dolphin SuperNova software all provided by New College mean Amy is learning piano, taking part in school plays and enjoying writing stories.

Amy says "Making things bigger and changing the colour makes a huge difference accessing a computer and I can read like everyone else."

Ben is a former student of New College now in the final year of his computer science degree at Keele University. Ben is totally blind but this has not always been the case.

"I remember I was upset when I lost my sight. But With SuperNova speaking the screen I could keep my independence and still use my computer to read my email."

Meet Ben video:

Dolphin works closely with New College Worcester to ensure SuperNova screen magnification and screen reading software meets the changing needs of students with visual impairments.

Book your place at the New College Worcester family day

Find out when Dolphin will be visiting your area

Try SuperNova free for 30 days

Notes:

New College Worcester is a national residential school and college for young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or partially sighted. Every student receives an individual programme of education, mobility and Independent Living Skills to support them in reaching their full potential both in and outside the classroom.

Dolphin Computer Access delivers independence by developing and distributing a range of software products for people who are blind or low vision, including SuperNova, the World's only fully synchronised screen magnifier and screen reader.

Meet Ben in our newest SuperNova video

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:49:08 GMT

Ben is a 22-year old Computer Science undergraduate, cramming for his final exams in his last year at university. In his spare time Ben buys and sells computer parts on eBay.

Ben used to have partial vision including colour perception, but is now totally blind. He remembers what colours look like and has good spatial awareness.

While at school with partial sight, Ben strained to see what was on computer screens. He was amazed to discover computers could talk and quickly became enthusiastic about the potential of the technology when his school installed SuperNova to a single machine. Ultimately, Ben was able to continue to use SuperNova when he lost his sight completely.

Ben's Computer Science course includes modules on: ecommerce, IT Architectures, communications and networks. He finds the university's preferred Integrated Development Environment inaccessible, but sees benefits in handcrafting his Java code in text editors like Notepad.

He uses SuperNova's application settings to automatically hear different levels of punctuation whilst shopping online compared to writing code.

PDF and PowerPoint tend to be the formats in which his lecturers send learning materials which Ben reads using the Dolphin Cursor, a core feature of SuperNova.

Reading at speed is a high priority for Ben and SuperNova can speak at hundreds of words per minute using a choice of 3 synthesisers.

Ben has found the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment to be compatible with SuperNova and he uses the same skills he has developed for surfing the web, to access his course content. This approach also means there's no more losing that precious tape or Braille copy, and feedback from staff is quicker.

The University also take advantage of SuperNova site licences and have SuperNova available on machines in the computer labs and libraries.

Having DSA funded screen access software means Ben can continue to use SuperNova with which he is familiar.

What's more Ben and his University have the reassurance that comprehensive professional product support is only a call or email away.

Join us at a Spring Online event this April

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 12:25:12 GMT

If you've lost some of your sight in later life, or are completely blind, one of the things that can transform your life is access to computers. Zena suddenly lost her sight six years ago. She says before she learnt to use the internet, she had to rely on her husband to read the post, write a letter or even check a recipe. She regained her independence when she learnt she could install special software and hardware on her computer to help with everything from magnifying the screen to making it read website content or even scanning in letters and reading them aloud.

Dolphin Computer Access, who provide software to help blind and partially sighted people access computers, are holding five Spring Online events to show the amazing things that you can get your computer to do for you with the right tools, from sending emails to reading recipes, playing games, keeping in touch with family or friends and researching hobbies.

Experts will be on hand on:

24th April 2013 at Longfleet Baptist Church, 138 Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2EX
25th April 2013 at New Northampton Sight Centre, 37 Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, NN2 7BB
25th April 2013 at Weymouth Angling Society, Commercial Road, Weymouth, DT4 8NT
26th April 2013 at Church Hall, 218 Charminster Road, Bournemouth, BH8 9RW
26th April 2013 at Northampton Association for the Blind, Kettering Sight Centre, 22b Wadcroft, Kettering, NN16 8TH

All the sessions are free and people are welcome to drop in any time from 10am.

Hazel Shaw, Marketing Director at Dolphin, says:

"Many people find their eyesight deteriorates as they age and they tell us how this badly this affects their independence. Access to computers and the internet can transform people's lives. We're delighted to be part of Spring Online to show that if you have any sight problems at all, all you need is the right tools to open up a whole new world."

Spring Online is one of the biggest digital inclusion campaigns in the UK, now in its 12th year. It is delivered by Digital Unite, one of the UK's main providers of digital skills learning, in association with Carphone Warehouse which will be holding digital taster sessions in many of its stores. BMI Healthcare and M&S are also supporting Spring Online and hosting their own events around the country.

Thousands of Spring Online events this April will help older people and less confident users get online, many for the first time. Spring Online events are held at all sorts of places from libraries, schools, community centres and housing schemes to cafes and shops.

Find your nearest Spring Online event by going to www.digitalunite.com/spring-online or phoning 0800 77 1234.

Instant Messenger in Guide

Thu, 4 Apr 2013 15:31:28 GMT

Microsoft recently announced that Windows Messenger will be retired this year, to be replaced by the Conversation features in Skype which they now own. Messenger users have been asked to transfer to using Skype. Guide's Instant Messenger feature uses Microsoft Messenger on your computer, however having spoken with Microsoft’s development team, we believe it is likely that the Instant Messenger feature in Guide will continue to work even after Windows Messenger finishes on April 8th. Of course, we are reliant on the decisions made at Microsoft and therefore this is outside our control. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause you.

Some messenger users will keep their messenger address but others may switch to using new Skype names instead, so there could be less people available for instant messaging. This is a great time to explore Skype within Dolphin Guide - available for making voice calls over the Internet to other Skype users. Skype can be found in the 'Guide Extras' menu, choose option 9, 9 then 5 from the Main Menu.

Office closures over Easter 2013

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:37:37 GMT

Due to the Easter Bank Holidays, our UK and Swedish offices will be closed tomorrow, Friday March 29th and again on Monday, April 1st.
Normal opening shall resume on Tuesday April 2nd.

We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you an enjoyable weekend.

Join Dolphin this March and April on our Massive Tour of the UK

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:23:46 GMT

No matter what your level of sight, or your level of computer expertise, Dolphin has a software solution to get you online. Plus all of our software is backed up by telephone product support from the UK and a network of accredited trainers; so you're guaranteed some help should you get stuck. Join us at an event near you to find out more:

Hull - Tuesday 19th March

New Malden - Wednesday 20th March

Isle of Wight - Thursday 21st March

Llandudno - Friday 22nd March

Cambridge - Tuesday 26th March

Aberdeen - Tuesday 2nd April

Kendal - Wednesday 3rd April

Cardiff - Thursday 4th April

Liverpool - Tuesday 9th April

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne - Tuesday 9th April

York - Tuesday 9th April

Manchester - Wednesday 10th April

Stafford - Thursday 11th April

Edinburgh - Tuesday 16th April

Glasgow - Wednesday 17th April

Meet Guide:

Never used a computer and losing your sight? Get started with Dolphin Guide & soon you'll be emailing friends and family, reading your own post and surfing the web. Computers don't have to be complicated! Dolphin Guide is simple talking computing for people that are blind or partially sighted and are new to computers.

Video: Meet Guide in our online videos.
Try before you buy: Try Guide free for 30-days.
Learn more: Request a free Guide resource pack by email or call 01905 754 577.

Meet SuperNova:

HD screen magnifier, natural sounding speech and full screen reader with robust refreshable Braille synchronised, or used separately. SuperNova empowers blind or partially sighted people to focus on the things you do best, whatever your vision, today or in the future.

Video: Meet SuperNova in our online videos.
Try before you buy: Try SuperNova free for 30-days.
Learn more: Request a free SuperNova resource pack by email or call 01905 754 577.

Meet Guide version 7

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:24:12 GMT

You'd be forgiven for not instantly recognising the new Guide version 7. It's colourful icons, and contemporary colours perfectly compliment Guide's popular numbered menus.

Guide is as simple to use as ever and all your favourite Guide features are still in the same place you've always found them. But Guide's newest release, version 7, now sports an optional new theme for those that are looking for something a bit more colourful and contemporary.

Turning On your new Guide v7 theme is easy, simply:

Go to 9 (more options), 8 (system settings), 1 (colours and voice)
Option 1 will toggle the theme ON and OFF

Read the complete what's new in Guide v7

Meet & Explore Guide in our collection of short videos

Download a free 30-day trial

Dolphin Delighted to Celebrate World book Day with Clear Vision

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 09:48:03 GMT

A dozen children's books sponsored by Dolphin Computer Access are being made accessible for Braille readers by the Clear Vision Project in time for World Book Day.

The mainstream children's titles which can be borrowed by families and libraries include the original printed work with a transparent Braille overlay enabling readers who are sighted or blind to share the joy of reading.

The list of books includes:

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Thomas and the Hurricane by Christopher Awdry
Kipper and The Trolls by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta
My Visit to the Hospital by Paul Humphrey
The Secret of the Sands by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta
The Golden Touch by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta
Mountain Rescue by Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta
Lettice: A Christmas Wish by Mandy Stanley
Dear Santa by Rod Campbell
Three copies of Slinky Malinki's Christmas Cracker by Lysely Dodd

Long time SuperNova user and software developer Nick Adamson originally brought the Clear Vision lending library of accessible children's books to Dolphin's attention in November. Nick's innovative Braille shape game Dotris uses Dolphin SAM to support a wide range of refreshable Braille displays. Dotris is raising much needed funds to support Clear Vision and Braille literacy.

Learn more about Dotris

World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe. A main aim of World Book Day in the UK and Ireland is to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading.

Visit the World Book Day website

Join us at a Macular Society Low Vision Exhibition

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 15:23:34 GMT

Dolphin has partnered with the Macular Society & Optelec to run a series of low vision exhibitions this Spring. 6 British cities will host a free entry exhibition of low vision and blindness equipment and resources.

Cardiff - Thursday 4th April at the Radisson Blu

York - Tuesday 9th April at the Park Inn

Peterborough - Wednesday 24th April at The Bull Hotel Conference Centre

Chester - Wednesday 8th May at the Queen Hotel

Exeter - Thursday 16th May at The Rougemont Hotel

Perth - Wednesday 22nd May at The Station Hotel

Dolphin Guide

Never used a computer and losing your sight? Get started with Dolphin Guide & soon you'll be:

Emailing friends and family
Reading your own post
Surfing the web
Playing computer games and more

Computers don't have to be complicated! Dolphin Guide is simple talking computing for people that are blind or partially sighted and are new to computers. Popular with seniors, Guide is easy to learn and includes everything you'll need to get started. Never get lost or confused! Guide keeps it simple, with step by step choices that guide you through to guaranteed computer success.

Meet Dolphin Guide in our video:

Understanding Windows 8 Accessibility with Dolphin at CSUN 2013

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:49:19 GMT

Discover professional screen access and alt format solutions from Dolphin Computer Access at the Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego from February 25 through March 2. Find Dolphin at booths 311 and 410.

What do the default Windows 8 accessibility improvements really mean for people with vision impairments? What are the implications for students or employees who's sight is changing, or organisations supporting people with a variety of blindness and low vision requirements?

At CSUN 2013, Dolphin will be demonstrating the world's only fully synchronised screen magnifier and screen reader for Windows 8 Pro 32 and 64-bit editions. Access the Windows 8 start screen, new style apps, the Charms Bar and Microsoft 2013 with any combination of Magnification, Speech and Braille. SuperNova's clearly organised control panel, seamless focus highlighting and integrated scripting minimise learning curves, simplify training and provide powerful customisation for the future.

As well as SuperNova on Windows 8, at exhibition booths 311 and 410 Dolphin will also be showing: EasyConverter to simplify alt format production, Dolphin Guide making computing easy for seniors, and SaySo the reading and writing toolbar for Dyslexia.

Presentation: Understanding the Windows 8 Accessibility Gap
Session ID: BLV-020
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 8:00 AM PST
Location: Annie AB, Floor 3
Presenters: Jeff Bazer and Steve Bennett Dolphin Computer Access Inc.
Track/Topic: Blind/Low Vision
Description: A practical demonstration of the limitations of the screen reader and magnifier tools bundled with Windows 8 and how professional access products bridge the gap.

Whether you are heading to CSUN or not, you are invited to sign up free for the latest Dolphin product news.