[Blindtlk] The Cost of Independent Travel

[Brian Miller]

Hi Dave,

I totally agree that just because something is difficult, or because sighted
folks say it just can't be done, doesn't mean we shouldn't try it.  However,
we are not an organization with infinite resources, and we must choose
carefully what it is we will  commitment our limited resources to.  

I'm sure our leadership has considered this, and is well aware of the range
and scope of choices to be made, and the impact such choices will have on
our resources.  

I wish those of us in the organization who are not directly involved in this
effort knew how much of our resources will b committed to this endeavor --
how much time, how much money, how much person-power.  Perhaps this
information is out there and I've just missed it, but as yet I haven't seen
such a breakdown of the resources we've committed or will commit.  

Again, this doesn't mean we shouldn't do it, it just means we need to be
aware of what the consequences will be to making such a choice -- i.e., this
is important enough that we've committed X amount of whatever to the effort,
and as such, it also means we may have less for something else.  

Best always,

Brian Miller


-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 4:25 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Cost of Independent Travel

A number of people here have pointed out problems with developing a car that
blind persons could drive.  It seems to me that the tone of some of these
messages, if not the words, is that this is something we shouldn't do
because of this and that.

For sure, there are lots of problems ahead of us.  However, one can choose
to see these as challenges and opportunities, not disabling problems.  We
can always find reasons not to do something.  Doing it is harder because we
must go against conventional wisdom.  However if we had accepted what
sighted people said we could do, or not do, all along, we would still be in
the dark ages, literally and figuratively.

Dave

At 08:32 AM 8/26/2010, you wrote:
>Hi Ray,
>
>I do think you make some good points, and I have thought of these 
>questions myself. I understand the underlying purpose of the 
>project, but there are a lot of problems to be worked out before it 
>is even remotely possible. I do think there are much more productive 
>things that we could be doing with the funds that are being put into 
>this project.
>
>I go back and forth on this issue. Mostly though, I wish the 
>organization were putting its money somewhere else.
>
>

                         David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920


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