[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

[David Andrews]

Max,  You are right in some of your conclusions -- but not in 
others.  You are right that there are many individuals who can't 
afford the technology they need or could use.

However, you seem to be making the Assistive Technology developers, 
and government agencies the enemy.  This is not the case.  I have 
been on all sides of the fence, individual, technology developer, and 
work for a state agency.

It is not like the defense industry, the government doesn't give 
manufacturers big open-ended, cost plus contracts.  Yes, they buy 
stuff, but at the going price, or in come cases less because they can 
negotiate discounts due to volume.  They are not the enemy here.

Secondly, all this stuff is expensive to develop -- I suspect more 
then you realize.

Yes, a way to help individuals acquire technology is needed, but the 
solution isn't to make the government, or developers your enemy.

David Andrews

At 10:45 PM 2/2/2010, you wrote:
>Dear list,
>
>I'm continuously appalled at the price tags associated with adaptive
>technology.  While you're in college you might receive assistance from your
>rehab agency to purchase equipment.  You may get some assistance after you
>find a job, but inevitably there comes a point when the expense comes
>directly from your own pocket.  I wonder how many people have had to settle
>for outdated technology because they simply cannot afford it.  But, that's
>the thing.  I'm only assuming there are tons of people who cannot afford
>this technology.  I'd like to lead a campaign to call public attention to
>this monopoly, and, I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether or not you
>think me crazy.  If my assumption is wrong, I'll keep my views to myself.
>If there is a high number of people unable to tap into emerging software
>simply because they cannot pay for it, I'd like to hear from you.  I
>understand the technology itself costs a lot of money to develop.  Yet, it
>seems more of the price boost is owed to extravagant government contracts
>that allow the few players to charge something like $6,200 for a device
>that, despite its best advertisements, does not perform completely on par
>with its mainstream counterparts.
>
>At this time I have only a vague idea for a strategy.  Yet it's something
>I'm willing to build up if the need can be clearly identified.
>
>Looking forward to your input,
>
>Joe Orozco
>
>"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the
>crowd."--Max Lucado
>