5 February 2007

The first website designed specifically for blind and visually-impaired Arabic-speaking web users has been created, according to its creators.

Designed by Nattiq, which specialises in "promoting privacy and independence for visually-challenged Arabs", the new portal has already attracted hits from Finland, Australia and Canada, reports AME Info.

Auda Hazeem, the Chief Executive of Nattiq, claims that the site's development presented a number of obstacles and many local companies were not able to assist in its creation.

"We ended up developing it on our own which took a longer period of time - bilingual, accessibility and platform specific factors were challenges we had to deal with," he remarked.

However, the company states that the work undergone to create the service has broadened its skills base and will enable it to assist other Middle East organisations aiming to enhance accessibility in bilingual systems.

© Adfero Ltd

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