Texas Instruments honored for developing world's first talking graphing calculator

Legally blind high school junior says calculator changed her life

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Apr 13, 2015, 10:00 ET

DALLAS, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN), the most trusted brand in graphing calculator technology, has received a 2015 Access Award from the American Federation for the Blind (AFB) for developing the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator that enables students with visual impairments to learn math and science without relying on sight. Presented annually, the Access Awards honor individuals, corporations and organizations that eliminate or substantially reduce inequities faced by individuals with vision loss. TI accepted the award along with partners at Orbit Research and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).

Watch how the world’s first talking graphing calculator is changing the lives of high school students, like Lillie Pennington, who are blind or visually impaired.

The world's first talking graphing calculator, the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator, enables students who are blind or visually impaired to learn math and science without relying on sight.

Peter Balyta, Ph.D., president of TI Education Technology, observes Lillie Pennington, 17, using the world's first talking graphing calculator, an innovation of Texas Instruments, Orbit Research and the American Printing House for the Blind.

"The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator has changed my life," said Lillie Pennington, a junior at Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. "The calculator has definitely made me think more positively about math and has increased my confidence." Pennington, who is legally blind, is one of more than 2,200 students nationwide who are excelling in advanced math and science courses because of the talking graphing calculator. To watch Pennington's story, click here.

The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator consists of a compact accessory that attaches to the top of the popular TI-84 Plus graphing calculator. Visually-impaired students can interact with the calculator using speech, audio and vibration feedback.

"We applaud TI for its efforts to open the world of science, technology, engineering and math to students with visual impairments," said Paul Schroeder, AFB's vice president of programs and policy. "By partnering with vision loss experts to add accessibility to the Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator, TI has demonstrated the kind of leadership and commitment that we hope other technology companies will follow."

TI continues to collaborate with Orbit Research and APH on accessibility features for other TI educational technology products. "For TI, this is about breaking down educational barriers and leveling the playing field for students with disabilities," said Peter Balyta, Ph.D., (@pbalyta), president of TI Education Technology division. "The world's first talking graphing is just the beginning; we're excited about what our partnership holds for future innovations."

The Orion TI-84 Plus Talking Graphing Calculator is available for sale here. This product is also eligible for purchase with Federal Quota funds.

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About Texas Instruments

Education Technology, a business of Texas Instruments, provides a wide range of tools connecting the classroom experience with real-world applications, helping students and teachers to explore mathematics and science interactively. TI's products and services are tested vigorously against recognized third-party research, which shows that the effective use of graphing calculators improves the mathematical skills of students and their attitudes toward mathematics. For more information, visit www.education.ti.com.

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.

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SOURCE Texas Instruments