The Hong Kong Blind Union (HKBU) is releasing a system for visually impaired computer users to input Chinese text.
The software, Cantonese Braille Input Method Editor (CB-IME) 2002, was created in Visual C++ and runs in Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP.
Users need only to press three keys simultaneously - representing the initial consonant, final consonant and the tone of a character - to be given a list of words available for selection by voice readout.
The CB-IME 2002 works on a standard qwerty keyboard, for those who have difficulties using Braille.
Enlarged character and Braille font displays are available for users with low vision.
For those not familiar with the qwerty keyboard, the program can also work with a Braille Display, an input device commonly used by blind people.