[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

[Jessica Kostiw]

JedI!  That's amazing what you were able to do at your gym!  I want to look 
into SA!  Sounds great!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag


> David,
>
> I don't think anyone is turning technology developers and government 
> offices into the enemy. But I also think that the problem is well noted. 
> One obstacle to employment for some folks might just be the high price tag 
> of JFW, particularly if they're not doing something particularly 
> technical.
>
> As an aside, I don't know if you've worked with SA much, but it's 
> surprisingly flexible in places where JFW isn't. For example, I used to go 
> to a gym that mostly used flash content in its member login software. The 
> software's used for members to track their workouts and initiate the 
> hardware that takes their heartrate and their mechanical motion in order 
> to figure out how many calories have been burned. I just plugged my SA key 
> into the computer and had access to the whole application. This was in 
> 2008, and at the time, JFW would have had a hard time reading that 
> application, especially since I would have had to install it first. That 
> is, unless I decided to get some scripts for it.
>
> Yes, work and recreation are two different things, but the point I'm 
> making is that a lot of folks poopoo SA basically saying that it's kinda 
> like the screen reader for the common person, but it can do some 
> interesting things.
>
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
>
>
> Original message:
>> 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
>
>
>
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