Microsoft Office is a staple product for the company. Currently, the platform is the marketplace juggernaut as there is little competition and the alternatives still lack the functionality that Office provides.
While Office is a great tool to use for any able bodied individual, those with a disability may need a bit of assistance to get the full value of the productivity suit. On this front, Microsoft has announced two new add-ins with accessibility in mind. Microsoft states:
1) Subtitling Add-In for Microsoft PowerPoint (STAMP) helps Microsoft PowerPoint users add closed captions to the video and audio files included in presentations, which boosts their impact for those with hearing disabilities.
2) Save as DAISY for Office 2010 helps Microsoft Word users convert Word 2010 Open XML files to the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) format, which powers digital talking books and compatible software and braille readers for those with print disabilities.
These two enhancements will help Office become an even greater productivity tool for those with a disability. As Microsoft continues to refine and develop Office, this is a solid gesture that they want to support all end users and these add-ins should help expand its users base even further.