Contact:
* All inPlay: Paul G. Silva (paul@AllInPlay.com | (413) 585-9692)
* De Witt & Associates: Stephanie Ball-Bassler (stephanie@4dewitt.com | 877-447-6500 x 222)
December 19th, 2003 – Northampton, MA – All inPlay and De Witt and Associates announced today an educational partnership where De Witt and Associates’ AccessTech program will incorporate All inPlay games into their educational curriculum.
AccessTech is a program sponsored by the New Jersey Commission for the Blind. It is a recreational program targeted toward the visually impaired residents of New Jersey who wish an introduction to the use of personal computers, word processing and the use of the Internet together with appropriate assistive technology. AccessTech is designed as one method to provide blind and visually impaired citizens of New Jersey access to its resources on a par with its sighted peers.
All inPlay develops online entertainment for the blind. This is achieved through online, interactive multi-player games that allow the blind and the sighted to play together as equals. They are designed to work seamlessly with personal computer assistive technology to provide online entertainment and a community for blind and low vision individuals. Through voice, audio commands, high contrast graphics and intuitive keyboard navigation the blind and sighted can play together on a level playing field.
“Most of our students are seniors who have lost their vision recently,” said Rick Fox, Director of Sales and Marketing for De Witt and Associates. “The All inPlay games are easy to learn, easy to navigate and the chat feature is a great antidote for isolation. Our experience with our students tells us that All inPlay generates a lot of excitement among our students.”
“We are very excited about our partnership with De Witt and Associates,” said Will Coleburn, CEO of All inPlay. “Playing our games is a great way for the blind to learn how to use personal computers and assistive technology. AccessTech is a fantastic program and we are proud to be able to help them in their efforts.”
The AccessTech program is conducted in community settings such as public libraries, community centers and public schools around the state of New Jersey. The teachers in the program conduct classes, usually two hours a day, twice a week for six to eight weeks. Between 200 and 300 people participate each year.
Each training location is equipped by De Witt and Associates with assistive technology such as screen readers, screen magnifiers and synthesizers. Where needed, they will supply PCs and accessories to make the sites fully accessible to blind and low vision individuals. One objective of the program is to enable any trained person to use the library independently at any time, not only while being trained.
About All inPlay:
All inPlay is an early stage start up providing entertainment and community for the blind and low vision through online, multiplayer games. Their games work seamlessly with personal computer assistive technology allowing the blind and the sighted to play together as equals. Offered by monthly subscription, All inPlay has developed a worldwide community of game players enjoying the camaraderie and excitement of playing All inPlay Poker and All inPlay Crazy Eights. For more information about All inPlay, please visit www.allinplay.com.
About De Witt & Associates:
De Witt & Associates’ mission is to provide innovative consulting services for the intelligent application of technology and universal design concepts to benefit private and public sector organizations and individuals. As Consultants On Accessibility we strive to help create environments that assist individuals with disabilities of all ages to reach their full productive capacity and become integrated into the whole fabric of society. For more information about De Witt & Associates, please visit www.dewittassociates.net.