[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

[Briley Pollard]

It is a difficult question. While I agree that paying so much simply because I happen to be blind is ridiculous, isn't it opening a dangerous door to expect the government to limit how much things can cost? At the end of the day, assistive technology companies don't exist as charities, they are businesses just like any other, except for the fact that they are selling to a small niche market. Do I think it is horrible that they exploit our need for these products to make a buck? Of course. Isn't that capitalism though? I'm no conservative by any stretch of the imagination, and I honestly don't have a firm opinion on this subject. But I thought I'd raise this aspect of the argument.

Briley
On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:45 AM, Hope Paulos wrote:

> Dear Joe. I agree with you. There have been countless times that I've needed adaptive technology and haven't been able to purchase it without assistance from my vocational rehabilitation agency. (I was in high school or college at the time). It's horrible to think that companies can charge $150 or more for even  software updates.  Paying $6,200 or thereabouts for a device made especially for the blind is ludicrous. Especially when this device may not be compatible with mainstream software. If you need help with this campaign, I'd be more than willing to assist you in any way possible.
> Sincerely,
> Hope Paulos
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "'Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.'" <nabs at acb.org>; <tabs_students at googlegroups.com>; "'NFBnet NFBCS Mailing List'" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11:45 PM
> Subject: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag
> 
> 
>> 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 for outdated technology because they simply cannot afford it.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
>> 
>> 
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