Newsstand in Voice: Alexa for the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired will present “Alexa Newsstand in Voice“, the new Alexa skill created with the support of Amazon.

Alexa Newsstand in Voice, why is the new skill important?

On the occasion of December 3, or the international day of persons with disabilities, the UICI will launch the new skill “Edicola in Voce”. The ONLUS, which for over 100 years has been promoting equal rights throughout Italy to give light to blind, visually impaired and people with multiple disabilities, has collaborated side by side with Amazon for the development of Alexa Edicola in Voce.

The importance of this skill lies in the fact that with Alexa it will be possible listen to the reading of 25 newspapers local and national completely free. All you have to do is activate the voice assistant with your voice and issue the following command “Alexa, open Newsstand in Voice”.

Alexa will then readfor those who use this interesting skill the latest editions, but users will also be able to listen to previous editions 7 days old for newspapers and 6 years old (2016) for magazines.

The Alexa Newsstand in Voice skill was primarily designed to perform everything via voice commands, but there is also the possibility of using touch commands for Echo devices with screens.

The UICI and Amazon declarations

“The Italian Union for the Blind and Visually Impaired has always focused on the most advanced technological resources because they allow our users to open a window on the world, thus benefiting from many new opportunities.

About a year ago we launched a large project called “UNION DIGITALE” which met the interest and support of the Italian Parliament from which we received appreciation and resources“, declared the President of the Mario Barbuto Union.

“Special applause to Amazon for supporting us in this project that brings Alexa’s voice, features and services into the homes of 40,000 visually impaired people, enhancing their participation in everyone’s lives and helping them break down the barriers of isolation and exclusion”.

“We are very proud to have supported UICI in the creation of the Edicola in Voce skill,” he commented Giacomo Costantini, Amazon Alexa Business Development Manager

“Our goal is to make Alexa ever smarter, ever more useful, and ever more accessible. When our devices and services become more accessible, they become better for everyone. They not only impact the people who use this technology, but caregivers, family and friends as well.”

What are the 25 warheads included in the skill?

For the newspapers we find local and national newspapers: Avvenire, Giornale di Brescia, Il Centro, Il Corriere delle Alpi, Il Giorno, Il Mattino di Padova, Il Messaggero Veneto, Il Piccolo, L’eco di Bergamo, La Nazione, La Nuova Venezia, The Province of Como, The Province of Lecco, The Province of Sondrio, La Repubblica, La Stampa, La Tribuna di Treviso, Il Resto del Carlino.

For the magazines we find: Corriere Braille, Corriere dei Ciechi, Gennariello, Il Progresso, Kaleidos, Uiciechi.it, Voce Nostra.