Index: src/orca/liveregions.py
===================================================================
--- src/orca/liveregions.py	(revision 3496)
+++ src/orca/liveregions.py	(working copy)
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 import settings
 import copy
 
+from acss import ACSS
+
 from orca_i18n import _
 
 # define 'live' property types
@@ -429,7 +431,13 @@
             except KeyError:
                 content.append(txt)
 
-        return {'content':content, 'labels':labels}
+        # instantly send out notify messages
+        if attrs.has_key('channel') and attrs['channel'] == 'notify':
+            utts = labels + content
+            speech.speakUtterances(utts, acss=ACSS({'gain' : 10}))
+            return None
+        else:
+            return {'content':content, 'labels':labels}
 
     def flushMessages(self):
         self.msg_queue.clear()
