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Cell Phone-cum-Organiser

ALVA Introduces the ALVA M.P.O.T.M., Mobile Phone Organiser First accessible integrated cellular phone and personal organiser on display this week at C.S.U.N. in Los Angeles.

ALVA B.V., a leading provider of assistive information technology for the blind and visually-impaired, announced the ALVA M.P.O (Mobile Phone Organiser), the assistive technology industry's first fully-integrated cellular phone and personal organiser.

The ALVA M.P.O. offers all the key features traditional cellular phone and P.D.A. (personal digital assistant) users have come to expect, with additional features incorporated for blind and visually impaired users. With 20 braille cells, an 8-dot Braille keyboard, a high quality speech synthesizer, and ALVA's Smart-Control user interface, the MPO is unique in design and functionality.

Other key features include:

• Fully accessible tri-band GSM cellular phone
• Essential note taker
• SMS text messaging
• Agenda planner
• Alarm
• Calculator

Upcoming, product features will include email, Internet browser, G.P.S. (Global Positioning System), Daisy reader, and an M.P.3 player and will be released as optional software upgrades in phases beginning in Q3.

While leading vendors of cellular phones and P.D.A's offer some of these features in their current product line-ups, ALVA is the first manufacturer to develop a device for handheld specifically for blind and visually impaired users. The ALVA M.P.O. interface and features are based on research into the needs of blind and visually impaired technology users. ALVA's nearly 20 years of experience working with this customer group provides an unparalleled knowledge base for developing the M.P.O.

Sleek in design and full-featured, the M.P.O. provides blind and visually impaired users all the benefits of a P.D.A. and cell phone combined. The G.S.M. antenna and super-durable casing, designed solely for this product, are just two examples of the kind of detailed engineering that went into the M.P.O.

The M.P.O. has the familiar look and feel of ALVA's popular SatelliteT.M. series of refreshable braille displays, with a special emphasis on portability and durability. The trademark purple ALVA MPO casing measures 9.4 inches long x 4.1 inches wide x 1.7 inches thick (240 x 105 x 45 mm) and weighs 1 lb. 9 oz. (700 g). The slim MPO fits easily into a handbag, backpack, or briefcase and features an attractive scratch-resistant finish.

Availability and Pricing

The ALVA M.P.O. will be available in June 2003 through authorized M.P.O. resellers. M.S.R.P. (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) and volume purchase pricing will be announced at that time.

About ALVA

ALVA B.V. is a leader in the assistive technology industry. Founded in the Netherlands in 1984, ALVA is privately held with offices in the U.S. and Europe. With innovations that include the patented cursor routing switch, used on virtually every Braille display manufactured today, ALVA products and licensed technologies are helping people achieve their potential. The ALVA product family includes Braille displays, screen readers and screen magnification software.

In collabouration with a network of regional authorised ALVA Dealers, ALVA customises access products for rehabilitation professionals, schools, government agencies, businesses, and end-users. ALVA products and services are available worldwide.

ALVA Access Group, Inc, the U.S. division of ALVA B.V., is located in Oakland, California. ALVA Access Group can be reached toll-free at (888) 318-2582 (ALVA) or info@aagi.com. For more information, please visit ALVA at www.aagi.com.

ALVA B.V. is located in Arnhem, the Netherlands. ALVA can be reached at +31 26 384 1 384 or at info@alva-bv.nl.

For more information, please view the ALVA web pages at www.alva-bv.nl or www.alvabraille.com.

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