Internet shopping service describes products for the blind
Blind shoppers will be able to shop in a virtual supermarket when a new internet-based system is launched this week.
The system gives shoppers access to a voice that describes the products on offer and guides them through the process of buying them.
The Access system has been developed by the Royal National Institute For The Blind and Tesco. Until now, blind customers' screen readers haven't been able to convert text on the Tesco site into speech.
From Tuesday, Access will offer a home delivery service just like the Tesco Direct online shopping system that's been going for five years.
Nick Lansley, Tesco's new technologies manager, said: "The result really works and both we and the RNIB are very pleased with it."
Julie Howell, who is blind, said: "With this service you can shop in 10 minutes. We are now hoping that other firms will design their software for our screen readers."
