This week, TalkByText Overview, the highly innovative real-time text solution developed by RNID New Technologies, the R&D department of the largest charity representing the 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, was nominated for the European ICT Prize.
The European ICT Prize is the most distinguished Prize for innovative products and services in the field of Information Society Technologies.
RNID New Technologies was one of only three UK companies to be nominated for this year's prize, which is supported by the European Commission in promotion of Europe's ICT industry and to boost growth across the union.
This year, 450 applications from 30 countries were submitted. The proposals were evaluated by independent experts from 16 European countries, nominated by Euro-CASE, who selected 70 Prize Nominees.
The European Commission will select the winners and grand prize winners in March, based on the ratings of the judges. The grand prize winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony, on 16th March 2007. This year, the ceremony takes place, at CeBIT, one of the world's major ICT events, in Hanover, Germany. European Commissioner Viviane Reding will award the prizes.
Guido Gybels, Director of New Technologies at RNID, says: "We are very pleased to be nominated for this most prestigious award. It is a recognition of the scientific and technological prowess that can be achieved in the third sector, exceeding that of most commercial businesses in this field. RNID seeks to be at the forefront of innovation and TalkByText Overview puts deaf and hard of hearing people at the spearhead of inclusion through technology. It is a great demonstration of the potential of ICT to bring about real change and more equality for deaf and hard of hearing citizens."
For more information about the European ICT Prize, please visit http://www.ict-prize.org/.