[nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag

[Mark J. Cadigan]

If there was a nonprofit company out there that made software comparable to 
JFW it could solve the problem. This company would only request a donation 
of whatever you can afford for the use of there software. This would solve 
the problem without having to rely on government.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Briley Pollard" <brileyp at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 6:28 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Independence with a Price Tag


> 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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>>>
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>>
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