Electronic Vision Access Solutions Selects ScanSoft OmniPage Professional from Nuance for VA Rehabilitation Program.

BURLINGTON, Mass. -- EVAS to Integrate World's Leading OCR Solution in Accessible Systems for Disabled Veterans; Contract with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Expected to Help Thousands

Nuance Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUAN), a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions, today announced that Electronic Vision Access Solutions (EVAS) will integrate ScanSoft(R) OmniPage(R) Professional from Nuance with its customized computer systems for veterans with low vision, or who are blind. OmniPage Professional 15 is the world's best-selling optical character recognition (OCR) solution, allowing users to convert, edit, archive and share paper and PDF documents, and empowering blind or vision-impaired veterans to hear recognized text read aloud.

Developed as part of its contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rehabilitation programs, and in conjunction with Dell Computer Corporation, EVAS' specialized, accessible computer systems are distributed to approximately 1000 disabled veterans each year. Through its contract with the VA, EVAS configures and supplies customized computer systems that are fully integrated with application software, peripherals and assistive technology to assist disabled veterans and improve the quality of their lives. Leveraging OmniPage Professional's award-winning OCR technology within these custom EVAS systems, printed materials can be quickly and easily scanned into the computer and automatically converted to electronic text. That electronic text is displayed on the system's monitor and simultaneously read back to the user with OmniPage's integrated text-to-speech technology, empowering blind and vision-impaired veterans to "read" printed text.

"We are pleased to work with Nuance on this important program," said Jerry Swerdlick, president of EVAS. "By integrating OmniPage into our customized systems, we are able to open new doors for blind and vision-impaired veterans who otherwise could not read the printed word. Together we are providing the new and innovative technologies that our nation's veterans can use to gain independence and a better quality of life."

ScanSoft OmniPage Professional from Nuance - consistently judged the most accurate by independent experts - sets the standard for OCR, PDF and document conversion applications and delivers features and functionality not matched by any other desktop OCR product. With OmniPage Professional users can turn scanned paper, PDF and electronic documents into human-sounding audio-documents. Using RealSpeak(TM), the world's best text-to-speech technology, users can listen to documents in the office, in the car, or on the go - with a PC, CD or even on mobile digital music devices.

"Nuance is proud to have been selected by EVAS as an integral technology for this program," said Robert Weideman, senior vice president, Productivity Applications Division, Nuance. "EVAS has truly been a pioneer in developing accessible systems for our nation's veterans, and we are honored that the award-winning OCR and text-to-speech technology within OmniPage will now be incorporated into these systems."

EVAS

Founded in 1979 by Gerald and Catherine Swerdlick, Electronic Vision Access Solutions is a family run, privately held corporation, located in Westerly, Rhode Island. EVAS specializes in the design and manufacture of Computer Access Solutions for people who are visually, physically, hearing or learning disabled. By developing the unique process of combining Access Technology, application software and computers, EVAS was a pioneer in the hi-tech world of Accessible Plug & Play Systems. EVAS has assisted in the development of speech synthesizers, large print software, CCTVs and other Access Technology and markets these products throughout the United States. Visit www.evas.com for more information.

Nuance Communications, Inc.

Nuance (Nasdaq: NUAN) is the leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance's proven applications and professional services. For more information, please visit nuance.com.

Trademark reference: Nuance, the Nuance logo, OmniPage, RealSpeak and ScanSoft are registered trademarks or trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other company names or product names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with market trends, competitive factors, and other risks identified in Nuance's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.