TVWorldwide.com’s AbleTV Channel to Webcast Pangea Foundation and Microsoft Announcement of "Abilities Networks" Launch Chantilly, VA. - TVWorldwide.com, Inc. confirmed that the Pangea Foundation and Microsoft will announce the launch of the innovative, new "Abilities Networks" via a webcast on AbleTV (http://www.abletv.net), the web-based TV channel for people with disabilities on the TVWorldwide.com network. Abilities Networks is a web-based technology designed on Microsoft's new VS.NET software platform, and is intended as an "electronic curb cut" to help organizations in the State of California to create online content and applications that are accessible to people with disabilities. Currently, much of the content of the Web does not meet accessibility standards for users with disabilities. The Abilities Networks system will provide the tools and hosting environment free of charge to any community agency that serves people with disabilities. The free webcast will feature AbleTV.net’s live captioned video streaming or "webcapting" sm process to assist on-line participants with disabilities and serve AbleTV's growing audience nationwide. The web cast will originate from the Microsoft’s San Diego Field office, with the launch event emceed by TV and Radio Personality Bree Walker, and keynote given by Mike Paciello, author of "Web Accessibility and People with Disabilities." "We are thrilled to be releasing this technology via the accessible webcast format of TVWorldwide.com and Able TV," commented Christine Williams, Microsoft Field Marketing Specialist. "The impact that it will have on bridging the digital divide for people with disabilities is tremendous." The webcast will be supported by Jeff Pledger, President of AbleTV.net, who lost his sight 17 years ago due to illness. "We are pleased to provide captioned streaming for this live event webcast with TVWorldwide.com," remarked Pledger. "Pangea Foundation with the help and support of Microsoft is setting a new standard in supporting on-line accessibility for the nation's 56 million citizens with disabilities." "We're excited about the prospect of supporting Microsoft and the Pangea Foundation in offering this important Abilities Networks launch event for accessible on-line participation, "stated Dave Gardy, Chairman and CEO of TVWorldwide.com. "AbleTV is renowned for its webcasts addressing issues important to the disability community and we welcome everyone tuning in from California and worldwide." The program will be archived with the captioning for later viewing after the webcast at http://www.abletv.net or http://www.tvworldwide.com or http://www.microsoft.com/presspass Participants should have the free Windows Media Player installed prior to the event. Questions can be directed to info@tvworldwide.com before and during the event and direct phone communication to the TVWorldwide.com webcast staff at 703/961-9250 The program was aired February 28th and is archived on the abletv.net website at http://www.abletv.net/event_020227_microsoft.cfm You have to have the current Microsoft media player to run it. Contacts: Beverly O'Brien beverly@tvworldwide.com TV Worldwide.com, Inc. http://www.tvworldwide.com 703/961-9250, ext. 222 Tari Susan Hartman tari@einsofcommunications.com EIN SOF Communications 310/578-5955 or 310/650-0595 Jeff Pledger able@abletv.net http://www.abletv.net 301/890-5944 or 703/598-2253 Contributed by John Goldthwaite