• RT @ppatel Webaim is conducting a screen reader user survey o gather more definitive data on screen reader users: http://tinyurl.com/3rmwte # 2008/12/18
• News: Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.6 http://www.lioncourt.com/?p=250 # 2008/12/15
• Retweet: @cookiecrook BusinessWeek: Apple is greener than Greenpeace says. http://tinyurl.com/57v4fp # 2008/12/08
• Retweet: @vmwarefusion : Fusion 50% off today, one day only. Details: http://is.gd/9Gqi Coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" # 2008/12/01
• It's Thanksgiving Day in the United States. We're thankful for Apple's commitment to accessibility in their products. # 2008/11/27

Olearia, the DAISY playback application for Mac OS X under development by Curtain University Center for Accessible Technology (CUCAT), has reached beta status. The current version, (v0.90b), can be downloaded from the Olearia site.

Olearia is a free and open source DAISY playback application for Mac OS X. The final release will boast playback of multiple DAISY formats, VoiceOver compatibility, and support for other Mac OS X technologies, such as Spotlight.

Tonight, Apple released iTunes 8.0.1 with a number of bug fixes and enhancements to their popular digital media management software. According to the release notes with this update, we will find access to iTunes U with VoiceOver, as well as improved syncing of speaking menus for the iPod Nano 4G, and other improvements to access of iTunes with VoiceOver.

The complete list of big fixes reads:

• Seamlessly plays the current song when creating a new Genius playlist.
• Improves syncing spoken menus to iPod nano.
• Addresses an issue of deleting HD TV episodes when downloading.
• Improves checking for updates from the App Store.
• Improves accessibility with VoiceOver.
• Addresses problems syncing Genius results to iPod.

As always, the update can be found by choosing "Software Update" in the Apple menu of Mac OS X.

Today, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) announced a cooperative agreement with Apple Inc. to make Apple’s iTunes software more accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Earlier this month, Apple released iTunes 8 with substantial improvements to accessibility for both Mac and Windows users. Under the agreement between Apple and the NFB, Apple will make iTunes U accessible by 31/December, 2008, and will provide full access to the iTunes application by 30/June, 2009.

Over a span of three years, Apple will continue to work with the NFB to maintain accessibility in iTunes for the visually impaired. Apple will donate $250,000 to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind to assist the agency in providing adaptive technology to blind residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

It is interesting to note the timing of this announcement. It comes just one day after Freedom Scientific announced iTunes support in its Jaws for Windows screen reading software. The NFB made no such fanfare when GW Micro announced its work with Apple on iTunes accessibility with Window-Eyes earlier this year, when that accessibility came to fruition earlier this month, or when the vast majority of the iTunes application became accessible with Apple’s VoiceOver screen reading technology for Mac OS X in early 2007.

Nevertheless, Apple has shown tremendous commitment to blind and visually impaired computer users over the last several years with the development and release of VoiceOver, Braille display support in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, access to iTunes under both Mac and WIndows operating systems, iPods with speaking menus, and countless updates to their own OS and software to improve accessibility. It’s about time that an organization like the NFB took notice.

In addition to the "VoiceOver Getting Started for Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Podcast", Apple has now released "VoiceOver Getting Started for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Podcast". This podcast is available in the iTunes Store and is designed to introduce the use of VoiceOver to new users, though seasoned veterans may learn a thing or two as well.

Alternatively, you can download the individual files for the guide from Apple’s new Accessibility Site.

Like all podcasts, the guide is available free of charge.